Amelita is uplifting and hopeful, a delightful collection of Country twangs and Folk melodies.
Album Cover 'Amelita'
Formerly known for being two thirds of the American Country band Dixie Chicks, sisters Emily Robison and Martie Maguire are now known as Court Yard Hounds.
Releasing their first self-titled debut in 2010 they now return with their second album under the new name. Amelita is uplifting and hopeful, a delightful collection of Country twangs and Folk melodies.
I was always an avid fan of the Dixie Chicks and was slightly disappointed when they decided to call it a day. Lead singer of the former band Natalie Maines decided to fly solo and released her solo album Mother in May this year. Emily and Martie however, decided to stick together and create an entirely new sound.
Court Yard Hounds' sound is miles away from the Dixie Chick sound, with banjo filled choruses and guitar riffs, the songs are light and upbeat but still have that Country vibe at the heart of each and every song.
The Country Standard Time also reviewed the album and commented by saying 'Once again, Maguire and Robison know a thing or two about sisterly harmonies, bright sounding songs and a few twists and turns.'
The Court Yard Hounds open their second album, Amelita, with a song called Sunshine. Which is an upbeat, cheerful number about those who wallow in negativity; the lyrics express how you shouldn’t let anything dampen their day. Uplifting, buoyantly melodic and catchy – it’s the perfect album opener.
It is a drastic shift from their first debut album as the Court Yard Hounds which was filled with dark musings and deep denotations.
The album titled track Amelita has a breezy sound, fuelled by violin and guitars the song is fresh and euphoric. The World Smiles has a bluesy feel to it, soaked with optimism the song contains lines such as ‘The world smiles at me/if I believe in the good stuff and open my eyes up, the world smiles.’
Aimless Upward begins with a folk guitar melody, this is possibly one of the lyrical best on the album with lyrics such as ‘We are seeds with promises to keep/ part of me is a setting sun in my skin and in my lungs.’
A Guy like You is one of those songs that swim against the tide, it won’t be featured on the best songs list of 2013 but it will certainly place a smile on your face.
Rock All Night is a wonderful track about the excitement of the moments leading up to an eagerly anticipated concert. Phoebe has a Rock swagger to it; the multi-layered track features a fiery arrangement of a fiddle solo.
Divided is a soft contrast from the track Phoebe. With simple guitars and a slightly poignant feel to it, this track achieves a beautiful disparity to the brighter tracks on the album. Gets You Down is another easy-going ballad with gentle strings and an inspiring message.
Watch Your Step is another upbeat Country invested track with banjos, strings and bass. This song sounds closer to the Dixie Chick sound than any other track on the album. The last track The Road You Take is another slow and placid ballad with eloquent lyrics and simple Country melodies with a hint of Folk.
Concocting a distinctive acoustic blend of strings with energy and engaging lyrics, Ameilta is an outstanding album for Dixie Chick fans and Country fans alike. Robison sounds more confident as a lead vocalist on this album.
The song writing of the two sisters, takes on a shine reminiscent of the blissful elation of early Chicks hits such as Wide Open Spaces. Their infectious sound with lighten the souls of listeners and bring more fans to Country music.
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