CD review: "Lady Antebellum"
The name Lady Antebellum may suggest a graceful image of the old South, but the new vocal trio performing under that name is as contemporary as country music gets. Consisting of two men and a woman, Lady Antebellum features a progressive blend of middle-American grooves, rootsy harmonies and lyrics that probe relationships with a youthful point of view.
The trio features Charles Kelley, brother of pop singer Josh Kelley (and husband of Grey's Anatomy star Katherine Heigl). He shares lead and harmony vocals with Hillary Scott, whose mother is Grammy-winning country singer Linda Davis. Dave Haywood occasionally adds harmony as well, but his primary role is the group's accomplished multi-instrumentalist.
Together, they present snapshots of relationships that boldly go beyond the boundaries of most current country music themes: "Lookin' for a Good Time," for instance, finds a couple convincing themselves not to take a one-night stand as anything serious. As with other current country artists, they're more likely to confront a lover, or condemn a former partner, than they are to express pain or regret, as they do in the current country hit, "Love Don't Live Here."
As with Sugarland and Little Big Town, two other mixed-gender vocal groups, the emphasis is on energizing rhythms, upbeat fare and personal empowerment. With Kelly's throaty growl and Scott's breezy self-assurance, they sound ready to take on the world -- and capable of conquering it.
Everclear, "The Vegas Years" (Capitol/EMI)
By John Kosik
Associated Press
Collections of cover songs are a love-it-or-hate-it affair for fans (see Guns 'n Roses' "The Spaghetti Incident" for proof).
Offering a slew of covers recorded between 1994 and 2007, Everclear wears their influences on their sleeves on "The Vegas Years." Frontman Art Alexakis and his mates are no strangers to radio-friendly hits ("Santa Monica," "Father of Mine") so it isn't surprising when they offer their take on pop-rock hits of yesteryear such as Hall and Oates' "Rich Girl," Tom Petty's "American Girl" and the delightful cheese of The Go-Go's "Our Lips are Sealed."
That being said, they fail to offer a new take or something fresh here, and it relegates "The Vegas Years" to the status of an amusing aside for hardcore fans only.
They may grab your attention on a pair of live tracks -- Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" and Tommy Tutone's goofy "867-5309 (Jenny)" -- but these tracks are elevated mostly because of the crowd's sing-along energy.
The better bet is to wait on a batch of new material from the band; reportedly, a new disc will be released later this year.