In a day and age when country music albums are built on one big single surrounded by a bunch of filler songs, it’s rare that a group comes along and produces three consecutive solid albums; however, Atlanta-based Sugarland has completed that trifecta with its July 22 release of Love On The Inside.
Formed in 2003 by lead vocalist Jennifer Nettles, guitarist/vocalist Kristian Bush and guitarist/vocalist Kristen Hall, the band found immediate success with its first single, "Baby Girl," from Twice the Speed of Life. The album produced three more hits on its way to going multi-platinum.
Hall decided to leave the band prior to the release of 2006’s Enjoy The Ride, which featured four more top-10 singles and also reached multi-platinum status.
The chemistry between Nettles’ strong-but-sensitive vocals and Bush’s soft-toned guitar work came to the forefront on Enjoy, and the duo has taken another step forward on its third full-length release.
Love On The Inside already has a top-five single with the fun-filled "All I Want To Do," and should have at least two more on what is the band’s most competent album to date.
The album’s balance is near-perfect in terms of song choice. There are great light-hearted numbers mixed with a few somber tunes sprinkled with inspiration, a sultry ballad and a contemplative song to close.
Highlights on the album include "Love," a strong ballad that showcases Nettles’ outstanding vocals, "Genevieve," offering a great three-part harmony and "What I’d Give," a bedroom-themed serenade.
Stirring things up a little, Bush lends his vocal talents a lot more on Love, which adds more depth to the songs.
Sugarland has met all expectations, coming off their prior successes with Love and should see results in another multi-platinum record. The band will hit the road in September in support of the album, and will play Beaumont’s Ford Arena Nov. 15.
