Own the Night EMI**

Nashville continues to dote on its Hank Williams legacy, but never has the music of the lonesome drifter seemed more at odds with what passes for country these days. Lady Antebellum's first two albums fused Nashville sensibility and rock-pop conventions to create a sophisticated urban country mix that chews on meaty rock riffs and drinks down power ballads. On their third album, multi-instrumentalist Dave Haywood and singers Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley sound a mite more perspired than inspired but, with a clever production that ticks all the boxes, they carry the day. But they also flatter to deceive. Most of the lyrics teeter on the edge of edge without ever saying much at all, while the music often seems studied and clichéd. There are exceptions ( Heart of the World, Cold as Stone), but too many songs sound like video storyboards.

See ladyantebellum.com

Download tracks: Heart of the World, Friday Night, Cold as Stone