Little Big Town "The Reason Why" CD Review
(by John DeGroff)
L
ittle Big Town's fourth album, "The Reason Why", (scheduled for release in August) is very big on the signature harmonies the group is known for. The four members of Little Big Town-Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jim Westbrook, and Philip Sweet-deliver impeccable four part vocals, and often are reminiscent of other male/female vocal groups such as Fleetwood Mac.
The lead off title track, "The Reason Why", starts with a slow groove, almost blues rock in feel. The song is mid-tempo, with a good rock ending and overall, it's probably the most radio friendly. This is definitely one of the stand out tracks on the album. Here's just a short sample bit of lyric:
"I could love you
Baby, if you want me to
I could go and fall for you
And never even try, hey, hey
I could let you in
Baby, where nobody's been
Yeah, I'm ready and willing
To give this love a try, hey, hey
(chorus)
You're the reason why
Baby, you're the reason why
Don't wanna say goodnight
Keep kissing me don't wanna say goodnight
Yeah it feels so right
Everything is gonna be alright
You're the reason why, hey, hey
You're the reason why, hey, hey " (Karen Fairchild, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Kimberly Schlapman, Philip Sweet, Jim Westbrook)
Other stand outs are "Why, Oh Why", "Little White Church", and "Rain On A Tin Roof".
"Why, Oh Why" starts with perfect bluegrass style harmony, turns into a slow blues rock groove, and eventually morphs further into the most up-tempo tune on the album. The song starts with the chorus and then gets right into sort of answering the real question of "why"...
(chorus)
"Why, oh why can't I lay this trouble down Lies your lies keep coming back around and round and round and round"
(1st verse)
"You're a shot of whiskey
Sweet and smooth and killing me
You're like a prayer I shouldn't pray
You're like a sad song
Can't help but sing along
You're like the pleasure and the pain"
(chorus)
(2nd verse, first two lines...)
"You're a lesson I can't learn
I must love getting burned...."
You get the idea. Written by Fairchild, Schlapman, Westbrook and Jonathan Singleton and Chris Stapleton, the song offers a catalog of reasons not to be in a particular relationship. Reasons some of us don't pay attention to anyway.
The other real big stand out, "Little White Church", has been made into the first video from the project, and should see equal amounts of radio time. It's a fun song about a woman who knows exactly what she wants:
"You've been singing that same old song
Far too long, far too long
Say you'll buy me a shiny ring
But your words don't mean a thing
No more calling me baby
No more loving like crazy"
(chorus)
"Take me down, take me down
Take me down to the little white church
Take me down, take me down
Take me down to the little white church"
(2nd verse)
"You can't ride this gravy train
Anymore, anyway
There's a price for keeping me
Might be cheap but I ain't free
No more calling me baby
No more living like crazy"
(chorus)
(3rd verse)
"Charming devil silver tongue
Had you're fun, now you're done
Mama warned me 'bout your game
She don't like you anyway
No more calling me baby
No more loving like crazy"
(Fairchild, Kirkpatrick, Schlapman, Sweet, Westbrook)
"The Reason Why" is almost evenly divided between ballads and more up-tempo fare. "All Over Again", a country rocker, uses a rock format especially on the ending which has a vocal build and descending progression. The other more noticeable country rock tune is "Life Rolls On', which sort of crosses from the country rock genre' to standard country with seamless ease throughout the tune.
One of the ballads worth mentioning, specifically because of the chorus, is "Rain On A Tin Roof". The whole song is somewhat mood invoking lyrically, but I particularly like the chorus:
"Rain on a tin roof
The sweet song of a summertime storm
And oh the way that it moves you
It's a melody of passion ragin' on
Then it's gone" (by Chris Stapleton & Trent Willmon)
Little Big Town has been around with the same four members since 1998. They have three previous albums-"Little Big Town" (2002); "The Road To Here" (2005); and 2007's "A Place To Land". With "The Reason Why", Little Big Town is leaving a definite vocal imprint on the music business. Their subtle use of rock and blues in a country format along with some of the tightest harmonies heard in years, virtually guarantees this album to be their best received to date. (Produced by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Little Big Town.
Also, check out www.littlebigtown.com, where you can view the video for "Little White Church".
