Review: Country's Lady Antebellum Gets It Right
Debut CD from Country Music Newcomers Does Capitol Records Proud
Sep 25, 2008
Straight out of the gate, the twentysomething players—lead singer Charles Kelley, multi-instrumentalist Dave Haywood and lead-vocalist Hillary Scott—hit No. 3 on the Billboard country charts with the first single, Love Don't Live Here, from their self-titled album debut for Capitol Records.
Released in April 2008, the 11-track offering made its mark fast, debuting at No. 1 on the country album charts and at No. 4 on Billboard’s pop charts. Industry veteran Paul Worley and respected songwriter/performer Victoria Shaw—the latter of whom served as a music mentor to Scott—produced Lady Antebellum, which has sold about 5,000 a week since its springtime release, reported guitarist Haywood during a Sept. 25, 2008, telephone interview from the road.
Lookin' for Another Hit
Moreover, the record’s just-released sophomore single, the upbeat, bar-prowlin’ Lookin’ for A Good Time, was at No. 19 on the country charts of Billboard for the week ending Sept. 27, 2008—up a full five notches from the prior week’s rankings.
“We’re excited to break into that top 20,” Haywood exclaimed, regarding the new single’s rankings jump. “It’s tough competing against Kenny (Chesney) and Taylor (Swift) … and album sales are just weird nowadays, anyway, (because) with iTunes you can buy just one song, not the whole album, and it’s changed the industry. … It’s a different ballgame but we’re excited we’re one of the fastest movers (on the country singles charts).”
And move, they have, all the way to the top. With their inaugural CD in stories only a month, Lady Antebellum beat out The Wreckers and Carolina Rain to secure the Academy of Country Music’s Top New Vocal Duo or Group prize during the 43rd annual awards show in Las Vegas on May, 18, 2008. But one listen to Lady Antebellum, with its driving acoustic guitar rhythms and vocal harmonies that are nothing short of, well, kismet, and the act’s quicksilver ACM win and radio success are easy to understand.
Merging Musical Influences: Southern Rock meets R&B
Inspired by ‘70s and Southern rock, including the Allman Brothers and Bob Seger, as well as classic country, soul and R&B, Lady Antebellum delivers a robust, contemporary sound that’s turned thousands of country fans into “Lady A” recruits. From the evergreen appeal of Love Don’t Live Here and Lookin’ for A Good Time, the players establish themselves as singer-songwriters to be reckoned with—never mind they skipped years of dues payin’ and playin’ in VFW halls and honky-tonks.
Teaming to pen 10 of their CD’s tracks, the trio visits the higher end of Kelley’s range on I Run to You, with Scott in vocal tow, taking listeners on a sojourn that “keeps spinning faster to a new disaster.” The tune, with Haywood on electric guitar instead of acoustic this round, boasts an easy groove that’s great for highway drivin’ or sunset gazing.
More than Just A 'Girl Singer'
Meanwhile, on Can’t Take My Eyes off You, Scott shines brightest. Her vocals evoke a vulnerability that doesn’t get much, if any, play elsewhere on the CD. This track helps listeners gain a new appreciation for Scott as much more than just a great duet or harmony singer. Here, she takes front and center in an unrushed slow dance that undoubtedly ends too soon for some.
On Long Gone, the guitarwork mesmerizes from the first acoustic strains, and Scott’s voice snaps in to lead the track to its catchy bridge. That is, the girl who always forgave the ne're-do-well is, you guessed it—long gone and so much stronger. How gone? … Gone like the wind under Superman’s cape. Like a thief in the night, I made the great escape. … And she means it, every word.
Slow Down Sister also is among this reviewer’s favorite album cuts. Georgia son Haywood is the lone Lady A member on the writing credit, but childhood pal-turned-bandmate Kelley leads the vocal charge on this toe-tapper, with its deliciously warm guitar tones that trickle like honey.
Call it beginner’s luck, perhaps, but newcomers Lady Antebellum deserve the ride. The trio’s debut, like the pre-Civil War period its named for, is a romantic symbol of revolution, albeit a melody-filled uprising.
- Readers interested in this story may also enjoy Country Music Television Launches 2008 Tour featuring Jason Aldean and Lady Antebellum.
References
Billboard magazine, June 14, 2008, and Sept. 27, 2008, issues.
GAC's 2008 ACM Awards Show Coverage: Nominees & Winners. Retrieved Sept. 25, 2008, from www.gactv.com.
Lady Antebellum's self-titled debut album lands at number one, EMI Group, April 23, 2008. Retrieved Sept. 25, 2008.
Personal communication, Dave Haywood, Sept. 25, 2008.
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