Music review: Little Big Town – 鈥楾he Breaker鈥�
The members of Little Big Town are apparently lost in California, and it蘑菇视频 a real fine place to be for the 2016 CMA Vocal Group of the Year.
While last year蘑菇视频 鈥淲anderlust鈥� highlighted the country quartet蘑菇视频 pop sensibilities, 鈥淭he Breaker鈥� delivers a nostalgic vibe with a Southern California ambiance that plays out like a summer soundtrack.
Little Big Town蘑菇视频 eighth studio release features 12 tracks once again spotlighting the lush four-part harmonies that set the group apart from other contemporary country acts.
The tone is perfectly set with the opener 鈥淗appy People鈥� and its optimistic message of spreading love and happiness throughout a world with its share of skepticism and negativity.
Just as the opening track successfully puts things into perspective, Little Big Town follows a reoccurring theme of remembering the little things that make a big difference in life.
鈥淔ree鈥� resists the temptation of pursuing store-bought dreams by focusing on the pleasant memories growing up that recall all the things we need that cost nothing, such as gathering as a family to listen to the radio, playing outside with friends from the neighborhood, a friendly card game in the kitchen, attending church on Sunday and the feel of a cool breeze blowing through the front screen door.
Phillip Sweet蘑菇视频 warm vocals on 鈥淲e Went to the Beach鈥� will surely bring a smile to the face of anyone who has made the happy trek to that sandy haven of fun and sun as part of the annual family vacation.
鈥淏eat Up Bible鈥� is a tender track about a mother蘑菇视频 message of faith delivered daily to her daughter. Kimberly Schlapman shines as she offers a touching testimony of what it truly takes to get through various trials and tribulations and remaining true to ourselves.
The album蘑菇视频 first single has the distinction of being penned by Taylor Swift. 鈥淏etter Man鈥� is a fragile tale sung by Karen Fairchild about the pain and heartache that follows when Mr. Right turns out to be Mr. Wrong as Fairchild sings, 鈥淚 just miss you/And I just wish you were a better man.鈥�
The male version of suffering heartbreak comes from Jimi Westbrook (sounding a lot like Keith Urban) as he attempts to move past a failed relationship on 鈥淲hen Someone Stops Loving You.鈥�
The album picks up momentum on uptempo cruising tracks 鈥淒rivin鈥� Around,鈥� 鈥淣ight on Our Side鈥� and the guitar-driven 鈥淩ollin'鈥� when the only thing on the daily agenda is making great memories with good friends.
鈥淭he Breaker鈥� is yet another engaging effort from a band that continues to explore its musical options.