The newest edition of HARDY’s HIXTAPE series pays faithful tribute to the life and legacy of the late Joe Diffie, boasting appearances from notable country stars like Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Reba McEntire, and many more, including the last recording of Toby Keith’s career. Every song on the album is a rerecording of Joe Diffie’s old hits and an unreleased track just now seeing the light of day. Every song hits in all the right places, and HARDY and his cohorts do a great job paying homage to the 90s country legend. Every star’s voice meshes seamlessly with Diffie’s in a timeless fusion of twang and wit. Even as good as the record is, there are a few head-scratching combinations, and some stars may feel a little out of place on the songs they cover. That said, those are far between, and for the most part, this is a well-executed tribute that does Diffie proud.
“John Deere Green,” probably Diffie’s most iconic track, is a collaborative effort between HARDY, Morgan Wallen, and Joe Diffie himself. Country Central reviewed this cover when it was first released in November, and the same points remain true: the song would’ve worked better with just Wallen and Diffie or with Wallen alone. Unfortunately for HARDY, his vocals, which are often rougher and edgier, don’t convey the song’s juvenile theme and clash with the cheery demeanor of Wallen and Diffie. It still is a rocking good time, and when HARDY is absent, the song feels strong. The updated instrumentals on this track feel like a fresh coat of paint rather than a canned retread.
Unfortunately, “Pickup Man” faces the same principle challenge as “John Deere Green;” in Post Malone’s real breakthrough moment into country music, his performance is kind of disappointing. Post is known for its intense and gritty vocals, and this song’s central theme gets lost because he can’t get away from that jagged manner. The song is all about being a smooth operator; all of the girls in this track love a brand-new pickup truck, and Diffie’s sassy, crystal-clear vocals fit the bill to a T. As such, Post feels out of place, and the melody works against him. That said, neither “Pickup Man” nor “John Deere Green” are misses. Compared to the rest of this “HIXTAPE,” these two are probably the most disappointing, and seeing as these are Diffie’s two biggest hits, taking risks with the artists performing them may have cost these tracks too much.
On the other side of the aisle, “Ships That Don’t Come In” is arguably the best song on the record. With vocal contributions from Luke Combs and Toby Keith, this cut is a genuine tearjerker. As fans know, the storyline is about soldiers who never return home from combat. The ever-patriotic Toby Keith was the perfect artist to lead this song, and the addition of Luke Combs feels like a match made in Heaven. Against a somberly twangy backdrop, Combs and Keith duet so perfectly together that you may need some tissues when listening to this harrowing cover. Diffie himself still has plenty of chances to shine, and the trio makes you wish we could’ve heard more songs with the three of them. It’s a masterpiece and a moving display of the best country music that has to offer.
Picking up the pace, “Bigger Than The Beatles” receives a surprisingly enjoyable facelift. The pairing of Jon Pardi and Old Dominion might catch many people off-guard but still delivers on the playful spirit of the original. The song is already a Frankenstein piece name-checking famous bands like the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and the Eagles all shoved into a package, so the odd pairing of Pardi and Old Dominion makes sense. From top to bottom, it’s a joyous track that totally captures the carefree spirit of the 90s, right on-brand with the “HIXTAPE” model. “Texas Size Heartache,” “C-O-U-N-T-R-Y,” and “Honky Tonk Attitude” fit a similar mold, showing off a stylish, neo-traditional sheen that doesn’t sound a bit dated.
Boasting some of country music’s best honky-tonkers past and present, “Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox (If I Die)” is downright fantastic. Like many of these other cuts, it’s an odd mish-mash of country superstars, but somehow, Lainey Wilson, Tracy Lawrence, and Joe Diffie still deliver a fiddle-driven powerhouse of a bar ditty. This song hits home a bit more after Diffie’s passing as a rowdy celebration of life. Together, these three down-home voices create a lively, communal feel to this song that could easily be the most respectful tribute to Joe Diffie that HIXTAPE has to offer.
The final track, “Life Had Plans For Me,” puts a bow on this collection as the only unreleased song here in a truly meaningful fashion. Joe’s son, Parker Diffie, provides backing vocals. Remarkably enough, HARDY is spectacular, and although his vocals are a little jarring at first listen, when he blends with the more down-to-earth Diffies, he totally carries this high-flying chorus. Lyrically, this tune pulls the whole record together with a touching moral: life had plans for Diffie and his family, and HARDY and the Big Loud team certainly give the 90s country legend his due. As the format speeds forward and continues to evolve, it’s nice to see today’s superstars harken back to the music that brought us where we are today, especially in the wake of the 90s country revival we’re enjoying. HIXTAPE Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE is precisely what you wanted it to be; the songs sound vintage, and every artist here shows off the best they’re capable of. Though the early singles may have indicated a fluffy ensemble of cover songs, the entire record comes together as a meaningful, humorous, and reverent tribute.
9.0
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