Amelia Ruthven-Nelson
Recruitment Manager
@AmeliaR_N
When I first saw the new Lady Antebellum album Own the Night, released September 2011, I was ecstatic. I couldn’t wait to hear their next heart-wrenching, catchy tune. I had convinced myself that, because I loved their one song “Need You Now,” I would like the band in general. This is not the case. Now on their third studio album, Lady Antebellum is only famous for one song.
Their new album falls under country/folk, but their steel guitar and Nashville sound pushes the album more toward country than folk. I have no craving for country—I listen to the occasional Taylor Swift song, but in general, I avoid the genre. This album has all the stale conventions of country music that I hate: the whiny voice, the banjo section, the fiddle, and too many references to God.
I didn’t like the album. I hate country music, but that does not mean I can’t recognize its artistic merit. The lyrics hinge on heartbreak, and the harmonies between Hilary Scott and the male band members blend beautifully.
My biggest problem with the album, and perhaps the genre itself, is that the songs all sound the same. I listened to the album four times and almost always failed to notice when the song changed; however, if country music is your thing and you loved their last hit, then you’re in for a treat. At least seven out of twelve tracks are extremely reminiscent of the hit that put them on the map.
I expected a more mature sound from the band. However, in what I can only guess is an attempt to please the masses, most of their songs sounded as if they were performed by Taylor Swift. They sounded as if they were written for high schoolers with a PG Disney-approved patent, and nothing seemed as sincere as their older lyrics: “It’s a quarter after one, I’m a little drunk and I need you now.”
I was disappointed in most of the tracks, but I did establish some favourites from the album: “Just A Kiss” and “We Owned the Night” are the only songs I could see myself uploading to my iPod. They resemble “Need You Now” just enough to make my heart sigh, but without the redundancy. But even these two tracks bored me quickly.
The band is talented and the album will probably win tons of CMAs, but I won’t be listening to it again anytime soon.
