Lady Antebellum - Golden

It hardly seems like it has been six years since Lady Antebellum (Lady A) made their debut singing with Jim Brickman. Six years, two marriages…congratulations to Dave and Hillary (and a child on the way for Hillary)… five albums (excluding a Christmas album), multiple awards and one could say that Lady A has already had a career that most artists could only dream about. With the release of their fifth album, Golden, Lady A just keeps going; stronger and easily as ever.

I have been a fan of Lady A since their introduction to country music back in 2007. The first time I heard "…and you don't hold my dreams" from their debut single "Love Don't Live Here," I was hooked! With Golden, Lady A continues their solid, soulful harmonies and emotional relevant lyrics. They sound more mature than ever, imo. They hit the usual subject matter evenly and effortlessly; their voices blend so well together and not just in pitch and timbre but also as it weaves through the construct of the song itself. The vocal transitions are so seamless that it is hard to pick out where Charles Kelley's voice begins and Hillary Scotts' voice ends and vice versa. The two of them are like a long time couple who are able to finish each other's sentences without missing a beat as to their meaning.

I had read where this record, Golden, was supposed to have a distinct southern rock sound in its composition. While southern rock is heard throughout, that description does not do the record justice. I also hear other influences coming together as well. For example, the Tom Petty-esque first track, "Get to Me" and the soulful sound that is kind of reminiscent of U2 on the second track (and new radio release) "Goodbye Town" and you have a very well-rounded and great sounding record that will keep you listening until you do not realize the record has finished playing. Mr. Kelley's vocal delivery has an uncanny way of simply cutting to the core of the emotion and making you feel every gut-wrenching emotion right along with him with a vividness and reality that is unlike any other singer in Nashville today. That ability is well-represented on the album's title, track, "Golden."

With their new release, Golden, Lady A continues with their trademark harmonies and the solid sound that they have come to be known for. Golden comes across as effortless, real and a great piece of work that is smooth and "easy like Sunday morning."