"What a Song Can Do," the title track of
Lady A
's ninth album, is a testament to the power of music, how it can function, among other things, like a time machine, therapy, affirmation, or seduction. It's a sentiment that rings true yet also puts into perspective how the trio works with a relatively limited aural palette on
What a Song Can Do
. The 14 songs never deviate from the middle of the road, a path they follow with the urgency of a Sunday afternoon drive. Occasionally, the tempo picks up a little -- "Like a Lady" is a deliberate homage to the stomping arena-country of
Shania Twain
-- but even then, the contours are smooth and shiny; it's soft and comforting, not stirring. This blend of country-pop and adult contemporary is
's comfort zone and, if anything, the trio sound a shade too comfortable on
. Apart from some heavily electronic rhythms -- most notable on "Friends Don't Let Friends," which ropes
Carly Pearce
,
Thomas Rhett
, and
Darius Rucker
in for support -- there aren't any new wrinkles in the formula; there's no attempt to try something new. That doesn't necessarily mean
sounds stuffy or stiff.
and producer
Dann Huff
are sharp pros, so they give the arrangements enough room to be breezy and help keep the melody in the forefront -- tricks that make for a very pleasant listen, even if it is quite a familiar one. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine