Loudon Wainwright III
Album III
Rare & Collectible Vinyl Records

2009 180gm pressing. Released in 1972, "Album III" marks his third studio album and the first record he released on Columbia Records, having left Atlantic after his first two albums. The record is notable for including his commercial breakthrough, the quirky and sardonic single "Dead Skunk," which became a surprise novelty hit and remains one of his most recognizable songs. The album’s production, overseen by Thomas Jefferson Kaye, features a shift from the sparse acoustic arrangements of his earlier work toward fuller instrumentation and more varied musical textures, hinting at the folk-rock direction Wainwright would further explore in subsequent releases.

Beyond its hit single, "Album III" showcases Wainwright’s signature blend of sharp wit, confessional lyricism, and biting satire. Tracks such as "Red Guitar" and "Be Careful There's a Baby in the House" exemplify his ability to balance humor with vulnerability, addressing personal themes like family, relationships, and self-reflection. The album stands as a document of Wainwright’s growing confidence as a songwriter and performer in the early 1970s, cementing his reputation for originality and unpredictability in a rapidly evolving folk and singer-songwriter scene.