There aren’t many announcements in modern country worth even a modicum of excitement, but news of brand new music from Little Big Town (Tornado, their fifth album, hits Sept. 11) is worth shouting from the rooftops.
Why? Because their the most consistently good and highly underrated band in country music gunning for radio airplay. Their brilliance as a tight unit has led to some of this century’s most interesting singles from “Boondocks” and “Bring It On Home” to “Fine Line” and “Little White Church.”
That keen ear for song selection looks to continue with Tornado as the crop of writers chosen to pen the songs are among Nashville’s strongest from Lori McKenna to Jedd Hughes to Luke Laird.
The overwhelmingly intoxicating “Pontoon” has exploded as the lead single, hitting the top 15 in eleven weeks while also sitting atop the iTunes country chart for most of the last two months.
So what accounts for the change of heart from radio and fans?
A modification in sound for one. Out is Wayne Kurkpatrick, the mastermind behind their Road to Here-Place To Land-Reasons Why albums and in is Jay Joyce, the man behind Eric Church’s style of country. This change has lit a fire within and created a hunger missing from their previous music. There’s a new determination now to force country radio to stop ignoring them, once and for all.
Only time will tell if subsequent singles match the buzz of “Pontoon.” I’m in love with the sound of this song for sure, but the very underwhelming second verse, which misses (as well as desperately needs) a second half, irks me to no end and displays the laziness penetrating most of the lyrics in modern country. But, I’ll be darned if there is a cooler sounding song currently vying for radio airplay.
Thankfully, though, to hear Jimi Westbrook talk about Tornado, there’s a lot to get worked up about:
“I am so excited for people to hear this new record. “Jay really pushed us to be in the moment. There was such an amazing energy between all of us in the studio and I think you can feel it.”
Here’s the album’s cover, complete with their rebranding campagin:
Here’s the track list:
1. “Pavement Ends”
Jason Saenz/Brent Cobb
2. “Pontoon”
Barry Dean/Natalie Hemby/Luke Laird
3. “Sober”
Liz Rose/Hillary Lindsey/Lori McKenna
4. “Front Porch Thing”
Chris Stapleton/Adam Hood
5. “On Your Side of the Bed”
Lori McKenna/Karen Fairchild/Jimi Westbrook/Kimberly Schlapman/Phillip Sweet
6. “Leavin’ in Your Eyes”
Brett Warren/Brad Warren/Jay Joyce/J.Westbrook/K.Fairchild/K.Schlapman
7. “Tornado”
Natalie Hemby/Delta Made
8. “On Fire Tonight”
Luke Laird/P.Sweet/J.Westbrook/K.Fairchild/K.Schlapman
9. “Can’t Go Back”
Natalie Hemby/Kate York/Rosi Golan
10. “Self Made”
Natalie Hemby/Jedd Hughes/J.Westbrook/K.Fairchild
11. “Night Owl”
Natalie Hemby/J.Westbrook/K.Fairchild/K.Schlapman/P.Sweet
Is it too much to ask for September 11 come just a bit faster, please?
The Pappalardo Periodical 