On Friday, October 17th, award winning country group, Little Big Town, was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry- one of the highest honors in country music. This comes just days before releasing their sixth studio album, titled ‘Pain Killer.’ The new and highly anticipated album is set to hit stores on October 21st and will feature one of the biggest songs of 2014, ‘Day Drinking.’ New England Country Music was given an advanced listen of ‘Pain Killer.‘ Check out our review of the album and let us know what you think in the comments below!
1.) ‘Quit Breaking Up With Me’ – Written by Busbee, Natalie Hemby, and Shane McAnally.
Impression: The album starts with ‘Quit Breaking Up With Me’ which really spotlights the ladies of Little Big Town, Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman. I absolutely love the sound of this song and it is a relatable song as the song portrays what happens in so many relationships- small fights over nothing and after awhile, you forget what you were fighting about in the first place.
Favorite Lyric: I hate your daddy, you hate my mama, but one thing we don’t seem to hate is all the drama…
2.) ‘Day Drinking’ – Written by Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet, Troy Verges, and Barry Dean.
Impression: ‘Day Drinking’ has been one of 2014’s most popular songs and was the song featured in one of my favorite televised performances of the year when Little Big Town performed the song at the CMT Awards and midway through the performance were doused in colored paint and colored powder. Just looked like an all-around good time. The song has already sold over 380,000 copies and was a top ten hit for the vocal group. There’s always one thing I think when I listen to this fun song… there’s some incredible whistling! Singing, whistling, and amazing harmonies- it’s a great song and one of my favorites in 2014.
Favorite Lyric: I don’t need a reason or a happy hour, and hang around for a fireworks show. Get a head start a little sip of something’ off and running here we…
3.) ‘Tumble and Fall’ – Written by Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Westbrook Schlapman, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose, and Hillary Lindsey.
Impression: Massachusetts native, Lori McKenna, helped Karen and Kimberly co-write this song. This beautifully written song describes that although there is some downfalls and issues in their relationship, that they will get through it even if they ‘tumble and fall.’
Favorite Lyric: It’s I want you, it’s I need you, it’s I’ll hold on through the pain. It’s a get through what you got to, yeah you got to, yeah we got to…
4.) ‘Pain Killer’ – Written by Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook, Blair Daly, Hillary Lindsey.
Impression: The track to which the album is named after definitely gives an island vibe with the sound of the song. Karen Fairchild’s voice definitely gives ‘Pain Killer’ a sultry sound, which only enhances the sound of the song. The island vibe continues with the chorus as the group harmonizes with some extension of different syllables. Love the song and I expect it to be a big song for the award-winning group.
Favorite Lyric: Don’t fixing, don’t need no therapy. Your love drunk kisses is my kind of remedy…You’re like the hair of the dog when I’m feeling cursed. Don’t need no doctor, honey, I don’t need no nurse…
Little Big Town on stage at the Grand Ole Opry after their induction.
5.) ‘Girl Crush’ – Written by Lori McKenna, Liz Rose, and Hillary Lindsey.
Impression: At first glance, you won’t know what the song is about. But listen to the lyrics and you will learn that the song is describing a woman who is admiring another woman and everything she is but only for one reason… because that other woman has the man she wants. And if she had the other woman’s hair or perfume or smile, maybe that man will want her. It’s definitely a different way to look at the desire of another person. I really enjoy this song and how soft and slow it is. It evokes emotion and I think it will be relatable for the ladies.
Favorite Lyric: I wanna taste her lips, yeah cause they taste like you. I wanna drown myself in a bottle of her perfume. I want her long blonde hair. I want her magic touch. Yeah cause maybe then, you’d want me just as much…
6.) ‘Faster Gun’ – Written by Jeremy Spillman, Ryan Tyndell, Jimi Westbrook, and Phillip Sweet.
Impression: Wild West meets suspense movie theme meets Little Big Town. The song is full of wild west/cowboy analogies and lyrics with a beat that could go to a trailer to a suspense movie with LBT’s vocals and harmonies. It’s definitely a different song than the rest of the tracks on the album and it’s edgier than probably any Little Big Town song.
Favorite Lyric: Love for you is like a wild west movie. You always end up on the run. You draw quick, and your aim is deadly. And then you ride off in the sun. Some day I hope you find a faster gun…
7.) ‘Good People’ – Written by Jay Joyce, Natalie Hemby, and Jeremy Spillman.
Impression: One of my favorite things about this new album is that different members of Little Big Town are really featured on different songs. In ‘Good People,’ you quickly recognize that the song will spotlight Kimberly. The song almost has an oldies or doo-wop feel to it but it’s so fun and playful. In the song, Kimberly describes how no matter where you are, you will find good people. It’s a good message in today’s world when there is so much negativity in everything we do and everywhere we are.
Favorite Lyric: Sometimes it feels like a magnet, the way that crazy always sticks with its own kind. I don’t believe in ESP, but you could read my mind…
8.) ‘Stay All Night’ – Written by Jimi Westbrook, Brent Cobb, Jason Saenz, and Phillip Sweet.
Impression: The guys from Little Big Town really show off their talent in this song. Jimi shows his incredible range and together will Phillip’s rasp and growl really give the song an almost blues sound. It’s one of my favorite songs on the album and I think fans will agree with me when they listen to it.
Favorite Lyric: It ain’t the fame, the money, the name on the big marquis. It’s all about the song, make your heart thump, feet stomp. The way it’s supposed to be…
9.) ‘Save Your Sin’ – Written by Lori McKenna, Liz Rose, and Hillary Lindsey.
Impression: The song starts with a very rock sound but quickly transitions into a more bluegrass sound which reminds me of some of Little Big Town’s previous records (the rock sound comes back in later parts of the song with some killer electric guitar). Kimberly takes the lead in ‘Save Your SIn’ but you have never heard her sing like this before. I can guarantee that, and I love it. In this song, Kimberly sings the lights off and does so with some spunk and attitude. The down-south sweetheart we all come to associate with Kimberly is no more in this song. I love seeing her step out of what is probably more comfortable of a range for her and do a song like this. In the song, she is telling someone to save their sin for someone else.
Favorite Lyric: Scream it to the sky, your filthy lies...
10.) ‘Live Forever’ – Written by Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, Jimi Westbrook, Jeremy Spillman, and Ryan Tyndell.
Impression: Little Big Town slows down the pace and the tempo for ‘Live Forever,’ which all four members helped co-write. The songs starts with some acoustic guitar and describes how a lot changes over the years, things go bad, but love will stand the test of time.
Favorite Lyric: We might be crazy enough to make history, ’cause the world just ain’t the same since we got together. And if we don’t die young, we might just live forever.
11.) ‘Things You Don’t Think About’ – Written by Natalie Hemby, Shane McAnally, and Ross Copperman.
Impression: ‘Things You Don’t Think About’ is full of sass and attitude. The song is bold with some strong lyrics that describes all the (good) things that their other half doesn’t think about them, but they will think about them when they are gone. The ladies take the front seat in this song which I think is best for this song. While Phillip and Jimi are both very talented, by having the women as the leads on this track, it gives the song a greater depth that only they could bring to it.
Favorite Lyric: I was the arm in your armor, I was the miss in your mistake, and you only make it harder on yourself when you walk away…
12.) ‘Turn the Lights On’ – Written by Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, Natalie Hemby, Jay Joyce, and Jeremy Spillman.
Impression: Little Big Town has been starting their shows, including their recent show at The Big E, with this song. The song builds with the first 90 seconds or so being entirely instrumental. It’s a fun song because it differentiates from some softer chords from Karen to a very strong and chant-like chorus. The grouped turned the lights on at The Big E with this song, and I bet they will continue to do so going forward with their live shows.
Favorite Lyric: Put your money where you talk, and let your assets do the walk…
12.) ‘Silver and Gold’ – Written by Jedd Hughes, Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, and Jay Joyce.
Impression: Holy harmony! If you enjoy harmonies, especially harmonies that Little Big Town has really become known for, you will like this song as those harmonies are really featured. Nearly the whole first minute of the song being one big harmony and the chorus also being a beautiful harmony between the group. The ballad is gentle and fragile and the song as a whole is uplifting as it describes someone who shouldn’t feel down because they are like silver and gold.
Favorite Lyric: Wind caught up in the weather vane. Soaked to the bone from a summer rain…
My take: After two consecutive albums that peaked at the top spot on the Billboard Country Albums chart, Little Big Town elevated their music and even experiment in this album, and it worked They blend a number of different sounds and inspirations into the album like rock, doo-wop, and reggae and because of this, it is probably the most ambitious album they have released thus far. Little Big Town has successfully learned how to blend these influences into their music and this album should generate several hits for the quartet including ‘Pain Killer,’ ‘Quit Breaking Up With Me,’ ‘Stay All Night,’ and ‘Girl Crush.’ Fans will be delighted to know that although the group diverted slightly from their previous musical path, the new music still features those incredible harmonies. Their last album, ‘Tornado,’ was certified platinum so Little Big Town knew they had to take a chance and elevate their music, and they did. They have said publicly that they love their new album, and after listening to it, I do too. It is chock full of good music that will appease their fans and make for some unforgettable moments during live performances.
You can purchase Little Big Town’s new album, ‘Pain Killer,’ on iTunes now.