Montag, 12. Sep 2011, 17:09
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Lady Antebellum, contrary to popular belief, never had been a band in the spotlight. That was, however, until their sophomore album Need You Now debuted #1 on the Billboard 200, selling little under 500,000 copies in its debut week. Just four weeks after release, it was certified platinum.
However, this wasn't the end. The band then went on to the 2011 Grammys, becoming the top winners of the night and taking home 5 gold gramophones, and Need You Now became the most awarded crossover album in recent times. They had truly made it to the top of country music, becoming the most recognized band (and arguably the best).
Even before their multiple Grammy accolades, Hilary, Charles and Dave were hard at work recording their third studio album, Own The Night. In May 2011, they released their first single off the new album, Just A Kiss, which rapidly became a commercial success.
As a whole, though, do Lady Antebellum deliver with their most recent tunes? Let's find out.
We Owned The Night: A very solid and refreshing opener to a promising album. It's a perfect end of summer song that carries a sorrowful reminiscence to a lost love. It features a new, "rock-ish" sound from a band that is traditionally country pop. Catchy, upbeat and a perfect harmony to set the tone for the rest of the album. And the bridge is fantastic.
Favorite lyric: When the summer rolls around, and the sun starts sinking down, I still remember you…oh, I remember you. And I wonder where you are…are you looking at those same stars again? Do you remember when?
Just A Kiss: The band wastes no time in providing us with one of the best singles that graced country music in 2011. Just A Kiss is a wonderful song about how love should be done - slow and steady. The chorus is engaging and memorable and we definitely see a return to the pop sound that made Need You Now (the single) so popular. Definitely a fan favorite.
Favorite lyric: Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight, just a touch in the fire burning so bright, and I don’t want to mess this thing up, I don’t want to push too far. Just a shot in the dark that you just might be the one I’ve been waiting for my whole life. So baby I’m alright, with just a kiss goodnight…
Dancin' Away With My Heart: What fabulous chemistry! They really outdid themselves here - the lyrics, the meaning, and the music combine to form emotion that only Lady A can transmit perfectly. It evokes nostalgia of past friends, making it a very relatable song.
Favorite lyric: Oh you headed out to college at the end of that summer when we lost touch. I guess I didn’t realize even at that moment we lost so much…
Friday Night: This is an upbeat, country sounding track about the good moments of Friday nights and enjoying them with someone you love. Lyrically, there's not much that really stands out and they are somewhat cheesy (I wanna be your lemonade in the shade, money in your pocket, 'cause you just got paid, babe). This is their weakest track on the album. Not filler material, but not exactly memorable.
Favorite lyric: I wanna be your get away, at the end of every day, that window's rolled down kinda song you love to play.
When You Were Mine: This is another beautiful song about the nostalgia of lost love - something that Lady A love to verse about. And they do it fantastically - the lyrics are on point, the rhetorical questions adequate and everything flows nicely with a great, uptempo beat.
Favorite lyric: What if this was it, baby? What if this was our time? (Back when we were in love) Back when you were mine…back when we were in love, in loveeee!
Cold As Stone: On an album, sometimes there are those songs that you listen to once and they will be forever with you. They are the hidden gems (songs that are amazing, but aren't singles - at least not yet).
Cold As Stone is a masterpiece in itself. It is my favorite song on the album - the lyrics are nothing short of epic, captivating you from the first listen, and the emotion of the three is visible. It's a ballad, but this is where Lady A shine brightly. And the ending…it will make you cry. A flawless instrumental end with somewhat Asian-styled music. Beautiful. And that is what makes it unique and different from any Lady A song - ever.
Favorite lyric: Yeah, it's gonna take forever to get over you…oh and I don't think this pain's gonna go away. Oh, scars left when it's said and done remain…
Singing Me Home: Following in the footsteps of Friday Night, this track does little to improve. It's upbeat, with repeating lyrics: "my sweet love keeps singing me home". Not exactly a stunner per se, but flows nicely.
Favorite lyric: Sunshine shining through the windshield (…) love, love, love, love, why don't you sing me home?
Wanted You More: An excellent track - slowly increases tempo until the chorus, where the trio sing harmoniously. The lyrics are great, the melody is a perfect match for their vocals and it finishes off greatly.
Favorite lyric: I guess I wanted you more, and looking back now I'm sure, I guess I wanted you more! I don't need you any more…
As You Turn Away: The bridge highlights the differences in tempo in this song as piano sets the key for a final, powerful chorus. It verses on the fact that there is nothing more to be said or done as a love turns away and leaves, though they "keep reaching out for you".
Favorite lyric: Nothing more to say, nothing left to break…nothing left to give, nothing left to take, I keep reaching out for you (x3)…as you turn away.
Love I've Found In You: This is such a pleasing song and the best uptempo here. The instrumental is joyful, the band sings with continuous emotion, and it retains that nice country riff.
Favorite lyric: Some people search the whole world over, just to find a love that's even half as true…as the love I've found in you!
Somewhere Love Remains: On the penultimate track, the trio act out two sides - one trying to stop a love from running away, and the other (sung by Hilary) asking for reasons why they should stay. It's really nice to see this side of Lady Antebellum, with hearty rebuttals, being overall very engaging to the listener. This song also carries what I consider to be one of the most inspiring love lyrics of all time.
Favorite lyric: Love takes time to build its defenses, and trust takes time to tear down those fences, and love remains that's stronger than ever before. So don't walk out that door, I don't wanna hurt anymore!
Heart Of The World: The closing song is a ballad that focuses on the importance of love (which the whole album versed on) and how it makes the world go round. Not only is this extremely heartwarming, but it provides for a glorious anthem. Lady Antebellum prove that love is louder than anything, considering it "the heart of the world".
Favorite lyric: 'Cause love is the heart, love is the heart, love is the heart of the world.
Final comments & rating: Lady Antebellum really have crafted an excellent album here. The trio prove that they deserve to be at the pinnacle of country music, and that Need You Now wasn't their one-hit wonder.
Their songwriting is (once more) Grammy-worthy (having written/co-written nearly every song on the album) and their vocals are on point in nearly every song, providing such an unique harmony. The tunes on this album are mellifluous, versing about love: relationships, break ups, the lot. While there are a couple of upbeat tracks that don't really fit into the whole ballad style the album portrays, they still manage to show a band eager to try new styles and shake it up a little. However, where they really shine are at the slow songs - sincere, intense and soothing.
Some will be dubious if this album would be as good as its predecessor. Everyone had high expectations, after the success of Need You Now, but the truth is…
…it's better. I'd recommend this album to anyone that wants to experience what modern country is all about.
Final Rating: A (9/10)
Recommended Tracks: We Owned The Night, Just A Kiss, Dancin' Away With My Heart, Cold As Stone, Wanted You More, Love I've Found In You, Somewhere Love Remains, Heart Of The World
The bottom line: Lady Antebellum prove their worth again, with an album containing a fantastic set of well-written, beautiful love songs that bring a refreshing sound to country music, and very few flaws along the way.