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 Scott's 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."

What I wouldn't give to live life on a rock! I love my family, friends and playing music for a living but with nary a second thought I would leave it all and go find my place in the sun and surf, especially with the crazy "spring" weather we've had this week in Kansas City. I have a better idea as to why Kenny Chesney chooses to live on that island with his new release, Life on a Rock. To begin with, this is not a commercial album in the sense of his past releases. Mr. Chesney has stated that these songs will not get much radio airplay…and that is ok; sometimes an artist just has to do something for themselves; they just need to cleanse the soul with the primal urge to scream from the top of their lungs that which is bottled up inside of them. With Life on a Rock, Mr. Chesney has cleansed his soul, opened himself up and given us an authentic, genuine and emotional look at his Life on a Rock.

First and foremost, I love these kinds of records so you will not get any complaint from me on its content. Life on a Rock picks up right where his Songs from an Old Blue Chair album left off. In my mind, that record was one of his absolute best. Again, it did not receive much airplay but it was chalk full of songs that had deep, personal and emotional meaning that when you close your eyes you can feel running through your veins. I like music that moves me and makes me feel something. Mr. Chesney has taken inventory of not only his life but the life that surrounds him and created a piece of work that is moving, deeply personal, introspective, emotional, and thoughtful; thoughtful in the sense of trying to piece it all together and figure it all out.

There are too many moments in these tracks to single out favorites. This is a record that needs to be heard as a whole in order to really gain its full effect. I would suggest a glass of wine and outdoors surrounded by nature. These tracks will provoke great thought and provide for moments of intense and stimulating conversation surrounding what is real and important instead of that which is phony and transparent. The lyrics are heartfelt, brutally honest and real; I believe we can all see ourselves in this music. The production value is exactly what it needs to be; simple and unimposing but a graceful yet collaborative companion to the songs meaning. Think of two lovers as they stroll, shoeless, together on a beach at sunset, holding hands as the wave's crash around them; oblivious to the world around them but completely in tune and syncopation with one another.

We are all just trying to do the best we can in this world and Mr. Chesney has captured that essence of life extremely well with Life on a Rock.