BY LESLEY HASTINGS
As a long-standing fan of Little Big Town news of a twelfth studio album from the multi-award winning Nashville four-piece was most welcome even before I had heard the first track from the new project, which came in the form of the uplifting ballad “Hey There Sunshine“. A reminder that tough times don’t last for ever, “It ain’t all blue skies…..but I’m gonna be ok“. With its stripped back piano-led arrangement including gorgeous soaring strings, Karen Fairchild’s emotional lead vocals and of course the band’s trademark harmonies it was a great way to introduce “It’s A Dying Art” to the world!
The thirteen track project, released this Friday 28th Aug via RCA, is co-produced by Karen and Grammy winning producer Gina Johnson. Largely pensive and reflective, it draws on the band’s professional and personal relationships as they explore life and love, falling more into the Americana genre than the country/pop leanings of their previous releases as far as I’m concerned.
The band have the same line up as when they formed back in 1998, and with that in mind it’s the inspirational title track that really sums up everything LBT stand for to me. While it’s a song that can be construed as being written about working through issues in a personal relationship, it’s a similar approach that has been responsible for the band surviving the ups and downs of the music industry . Sticking together through thick and thin, working through problems and not quitting….”we’re still good after all this time” they sing, how true.
Tenacity is a theme that recurs throughout the project. I’ve already mentioned “Hey There Sunshine” , and another piano-led track “We Could Have It All” with Jimi taking lead vocals is also truly beautiful and inspiring; who knows what is to come if you just wait for the storms to pass? “Hope is never gone, honey just hold on….”
Then there’s the aching ballad “Long Way To Your Heart“, reminding us to a never give up if you feel something is worth fighting for despite all the challenges along the way….incidentally this one was co-written by Karen alongside “Love Junkies” Liz Rose, Lori McKenna and Hillary Lindsey who were of course responsible for the multi award winning song “Girl Crush” which featured on LBT’s 2014 album “Painkiller”.
In fact this new album’s writing credits and collaborations read as a “who’s who” of country music royalty, a testament to the band’s standing among their peers, including in no particular order Ashley Monroe, Jason Isbell, Kelsea Ballerini, Ashley Ray, Brent Cobb, Sean McConnell, Jessie Jo Dillon, Tofer Brown and Lauren Hungate.
Of the three collaborations each artist adds their own undeniable stamp which brings additional variety into the mix.
There’s the amazing opening track, “Sucker For A Sad Song“, with Ashley Monroe’s delicate, emotional vocals shining through (I love the brief acapella introduction consisting of its first few lines , those tight harmonies demonstrated from the very start!) before the song itself begins. Many of those sad songs we all love to wallow in for some strange reason getting cleverly referenced in the lyrics here.
The smoky, bluesy “Closing Time” features the track’s co-writer Kelsea Ballerini on vocals and paints a picture of a situation I’m sure many of us can relate to so well. Oozing tension and sexual chemistry, there’s no doubt that a one night stand is on the cards, the only question is “your place or mine“?
The final collaboration features Jason Isbell who brings his distinctive and impressive slide guitar playing to “The Door“. Despite not being on the writing credits it’s a song which could be lifted from his catalogue in my opinion, and while this heartbreaker may be one of the shortest songs on the album wow what an impactful 2mins 41 seconds! Who will have the courage to leave a relationship that both know is going nowhere? Is a relationship, even a failed one, ever a waste of time? A lot to think about!
Hold those thoughts while you listen to ” The Idea” , the least optimistic song on the album and given the band’s positive outlook I came as no surprise to me that this is an outside cut. It is one of my favourites here….not sure what that says about me!!
In addition to the band’s aforementioned harmonies the fact that the all possess the ability to sing lead vocals isn’t lost on me or any of their fans I’m sure. For example it’s Phillip and Jimi who share the honours on the swampy sounding, “Crickets” which has co-writer Brent Cobb’s stamp all over it. It’s a light hearted track which adds some levity among the intensity, as does the closing track, the duet “Jet Plane“. Such a sweet love song which ensures this album finishes with a feel good vibe.
With the band celebrating their new music with several dates Stateside (including The Opry on 2nd and 3rd September) let’s hope it’s not too long before they return to visit us on this side of the pond.
Pre-order/pre-save “A Dying Art” here https://littlebigtown.lnk.to/ukitsadyingart
IT’S A DYING ART TRACKLIST
1. Intro
2. Sucker For A Sad Song (with Ashley Monroe) – Written by Karen Fairchild, Shelby Lynne, Ashley Monroe
3. The Door (with Jason Isbell) – Written by Waylon Payne, Clint Daniels, Ken Hart
4. Dying Art – Written by Karen Fairchild, Jonnie Simpson, Ashley Ray, Madi Yanofsky
5. Hey There Sunshine – Written by Hillary Lindsey, Jon Nite, Gordie Sampson
6. Over And Over – Written by Karen Fairchild, Ashley Ray, Jonnie Simpson, Madi Yanofsky
7. The Idea – Written by Liz Rose, Tofer Brown, Lauren Hungate
8. We Could Have It All – Written by Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook, Ashley Monroe
9. Crickets – Written by Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet, Adam Hood, Brent Cobb
10. Closing Time (with Kelsea Ballerini) – Written by Karen Fairchild, Jessie Jo Dillon, Kelsea Ballerini, Hillary Lindsey, Alysa Vanderheym
11. Long Way To Your Heart – Written by Karen Fairchild, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose, Hillary Lindsey
12. It’s Coming Around – Written by Karen Fairchild, Madi Diaz, Sean McConnell
13. Jet Plane – Written by Jimi Westbrook, Ashley Ray, Joe Ginsberg