The industry that is country music has a way of replenishing its stable of hit machines. The ends (and trends) may change, but the means pretty much stay the same: Showcase talented singers, songwriters and musicians who write material that blurs the lines between pop, rock and country.
Little Big Town has been poised for several years to launch itself into the same place of popularity as Sugarland, which headlines arenas these days, and Lady Antebellum, which is about to.
Saturday night, LBT headlined a show at the Midland, but the turnout seemed to prove that though the band has the songs and live show to make that jump, it still isn’t drawing the crowds to prove it.
About 900 fans showed up for the show, which showcased all of LBT’s hits and favorites and even its well-known country version of the Lady Gaga song “Born This Way.” The band comprises two men and two women, including a married couple: Jimi Westbrook and Karen Fairchild. They trade vocals and deliver spit-shined harmonies, which gives their music a change in sound that is often lacking in bands featuring one vocalist.
Their music gets its primary sound from the fusion of country and rock that emerged in the 1970s, when bands like the Eagles, Poco and Pure Prairie League were doing the same. It’s no coincidence that one of their best-known covers is of the Eagles’ “Heartache Tonight.”
They also deliver the occasional fusion of country and Southern rock (“Bones”) and the hard-rock meets country that Big & Rich made popular a few years ago. Saturday’s crowd was average by Midland standards; it can hold about 3,000 at its fullest. But the nearly 1,000 who showed up Saturday nearly filled the floor in front of the stage, and at times they reacted like they were seeing a band with the catalog and reputation of the Eagles.
The setlist included the band’s most successful singles, and they’ve had several: “Bring It On Home,” “A Little More You” and their rocking closer, “Boondocks.”
It also drew songs from their latest album. “The Reason Why,” including the title track, plus “Runaway Train,” “Why Oh Why” and the album’s biggest hit, “Little White Church,” which opened the show. This crowd knew most of those and a few of the lesser-known songs, like the novelty hit,” Welcome to the Family,” a song about the redneck life.
It all featured sounds and traits that should be familiar to anyone who listens to modern country and/or country radio: tight, polished songwriting, strong vocals with harmonies. If familiarity is a virtue it can also be a detriment. Even when you have a formula down pat, it can be tough to stand out in a crowd among others who are doing the same.
| Timothy Finn, The Star
I totally disagree with your assessment. I've seen LBT, along with Sugarland & Lady A numerous times. LBT's sound is unique, versus the others. The harmonies they display are terrific & masterful & are so reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac that its hard not to compare the 2. Their shows are not glitzy & orchestrated with so much going on behind them that you forget to listen to the music. Its nice to see an act that is about making music that is lyrical with beautiful harmonies, rather than making songs just to have a catchy hook.
Posted by: Jerry | October 10, 2011 at 09:41 AM
I agree Jerry. If Fleetwood Mac came out today, they would be played on country radio and sound like what Little Big Town does...
I thought it was a great night that was all about the music..
Posted by: Clint | October 10, 2011 at 10:45 AM
I had never heard a note of LBT before reading this review and Jerry's response, so I took a moment to hear some of "The Reason Why" on Spotify. My first impression after four or five songs is that Tim was being charitable with his review. Their production may be polished and their songs upbeat, but there isn't a whole lot there that I hadn't heard a thousand times before elsewhere. Other than some heavily overdubbed vocals on the title cut, I heard nothing that sounded like Fleetwood Mac.
I'm glad the folks at the show had a nice night out. Keep supporting the bands you like. It gives them a chance to grow and creates jobs, both locally and nationally.
Posted by: Darrell | October 10, 2011 at 11:03 AM
These groups fall into a "formula" much like the 90's boys band era. A girl, a couple of guys and a group of interchangeable songs is the only major difference.
Much like the New Kids, Backstreet boys etc. Sugarland, LBT etc will define this genre.
No crime here, just enjoy what you like and they will keep producing bands like this for a few more years.
The difference is Fleetwood Mac was around, individually and together, for years playing, writing songs, and paying their dues. They were much more organic than these formulated groups.
Posted by: Candywest | October 11, 2011 at 08:03 AM
I "like" you on Facebook. Would love these for my oldest boy!
Posted by: Cheap North Face | December 15, 2011 at 09:04 PM