Pioneer
Big Machine/Universal
Producer: Dann Huff
Score: 8 out of 10
With their lead-off single “Better Dig Two” certified platinum, this family trio have a powerful prelude to Pioneer, the follow- up to their massively successful debut. A consortium of Music Row writers including Shane McAnally penned the initial hit, but each member contributes songwriting credits to the bulk of the set list. While guitar-savvy producer Dann Huff highlights the band’s arena aspirations, he deftly balances these rock elements with guitars, fiddle and plaintive harmonies that connect to the band’s homespun Southern origins in “The End of Time,” and the poignant title track. With these riches, flatulent synths (“I’m A Keeper”) and cloying shout-out choruses (“Forever Mine Nevermind”) are only occasional distractions.
—Dan Kimpel
