Black Label Society's sixth release hearkens back to a similar sound that guitarist Zakk Wylde featured on his eponymous 1996 release, 'Book of Shadows' - that being a more acoustic-dominated, laid-back manner of music. The main difference here is that while a few sporadic songs on 'Book of Shadows' featured some distorted parts, virtually every track on 'Hangover Music' has either a blistering solo, a heavy mid-track crunch, or a snaking bass line. Zack's aggressive voice shows up in places, and his mournful call in others. This is still very toned down from the regular BLS fare, of course, but much darker than, say, a ride up the hotel elevator (with a few cuts likely to cause actual pain to that Sunday morning hangover!).
A good, feral chorus to "Crazy or High" is tasty, with a distorted kick-in and solo being another strong feature. The excellent "Steppin' Stone" has a sorrowful, pulling chorus, with "House of Doom" having a heavy/light mix throughout.
Other highlights include "Won't Find it Here," with its nasty-sung chorus, the mid-track electric grind of "Queen of Sorrow," the good feel and flow to "No Other," and the heavier parts of "Layne."

TRACK LIST: Crazy or High/Queen of Sorrow/Steppin' Stone/Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow/Takillya (Estyabon)/Won't Find it Here/She Deserves a Free Ride/ House of Doom/Damage is Done/Layne/Woman Don't Cry/No Other/Whiter Shade of Pale/Once More/Fear