Little Big Town

Little Big Town's hook is their four-part harmony, and as hooks go, this one is pretty terrific. There are moments so pretty and folky and sweet they almost sound like Crosby, Stills, and Nashville. And the fine wall-of-mostly-acoustic-sound, while at times a little overloaded with drums and unnecessary instrumentation, generally serves their efforts to penetrate a market that is at present a little bloated with music that lacks essential nutrients. To their credit, the band wrote nearly all the tunes on their debut CD, and, even more laudable, they have chosen to swap lead vocals, risking audience confusion and the lack of instant recognition that comes with letting one member run the spotlight. If Little Big Town stand their ground, earn some character, and occasionally risk a little less production, they may mature into a fine addition to the vocal harmony tradition. --Henry Cabot Beck

Little Big Town Album: