Old Dominion

ナッシュビル出身のカントリー5人組=Old Dominion(オールド・ドミニオン)の3rdアルバム 『Old Dominion』

ソング・ライターとしても活躍する5人によって結成されたナッシュビル出身のカントリー・グループ、オールド・ドミニオン。ブレイク・シェルトン、バンド・ペリー等のヒット曲を手掛けてきた5人が集まり、ソロ・アーティストの多いカントリー界では珍しいグループを結成。5人のキャラクターが生き生きと輝く、楽しいパフォーマンスも魅力。音楽性はいたって正統派で、幅広い世代のカントリー・ファンを魅了する。2017年発売の前作『Happy Endings』は、USカントリー・チャートで初の1位を獲得。セルフ・タイトルとなる今作にも大きな期待が寄せられている。

Old Dominion decided to call their third album Old Dominion -- and to place their visages on an album cover for the first time -- because this is the album that sounds the most like us. With this justification, the Nashville quartet may be trading in a time-honored tradition for self-titled albums, but there is some truth in how Old Dominion feels more like the work of a band than either of their previous records. Its a subtle change. Old Dominion are still working with producer/songwriter Shane McAnally -- at this stage, hes nearly a fifth member of the group -- and they still rely on soft surfaces and candied melodies. Danger isnt part of the groups vocabulary. When Old Dominion sing Well get tattoos and trash hotel rooms on One Man Band, the joke lies in how such recklessness is completely out of character; theyd rather stay in and cuddle by the fireplace. Such inherent sweetness isnt merely their signature, its their strength, and the difference with this 2019 album is how the arrangements arent as lush or slick as they once were. While the songs havent gotten any tougher -- Old Dominion still favor refurbished soul grooves and sprightly pop, music thats built for comfort, not speed -- the rhythms are tighter and the tracks are designed not to slip into the background but to showcase their easy touch, sighing harmonies, and shimmering melodies. Old Dominion arent ashamed that they provide music for romance and relaxation, and the fact that they dont seem to be trying quite so hard this third time around makes their eponymous album feel natural and, yes, more like themselves. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine