Lady Antebellum
Feb 1, 2010
Lady Antebellum hit the scene two years ago as part of Nashville's newest wave, bringing a fresh-faced pop vibe to a set of rock-tinged country music.
"Need You Now" (Capitol Nashville, out Janurary 26th) is the pleasant second album from the young trio. The three band members sink their teeth into the project with confidence while reaffirming their songwriting chops (they penned eight of these 11 songs).
Fans are already well acquainted with the poignant melody of the title track, a powerful breakup lament that spent December atop Billboard's country chart and found its way to No. 5 on the pop side. It's the best track on a cozy, friendly album, one that doesn't veer far from the formula that made the group's platinum freshman record a delightful surprise: Songs like "American Honey" and "Stars Tonight" are the sort of Sun Belt homages that ably bridge country's new and old worlds.
The group plays it safe enough to avoid any major missteps, and an occasional tendency toward melodrama (see the epic "Hello World") is tidily balanced by the friskier stuff: the Dixie Chicks-esque "Perfect Day," the infectious rock grinder "Love This Pain," the breezy bit of wistful country "Something 'Bout a Woman."
Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley make a potent vocal duo, taking full advantage of the resonant boy-girl harmony that gives it all a warm Fleetwood Mac sheen. All told, it's a solid if unspectacular follow-up from a group that continues to show ample promise.
"Need You Now" is now impacting Top 40.