Court Yard Hounds released their debut self-titled album in 2010. Comprising Emily Robison and Martie Maguire, two thirds of chart-topping country group Dixie Chicks, Court Yard Hounds garnered critical acclaim and strong sales for the album. With Dixie Chicks still on hiatus with the exception of a handful of one-off appearances, Court Yard Hounds have been busy in the studio. Three years on from their debut and the duo is back with brand new album Amelita.
Amelita is an altogether different beast to the duoās self-titled album. Whereas the groupās debut album was a mix of gentle folk and country melodies, Amelita offers a variety of sounds and is a much more confident effort. Opening with the uptempo Sunshine, the albumās lead single, the collection gets off to a strong start. Lyrically the song is about a person that brings you down all the time with the title āSunshineā being applied in a sarcastic and ironic way. Musically the track mixes a steady beat with alt-country leanings and a strong vocal from Robison.
This confidence permeates throughout the album with the duo having really found their stride on this record. The punchy title track is one of the highlights of the album, which Robison told us during our recent interview, with its combination of uptempo melodies and hand-claps. There are moments on the record that remind us a little of Sheryl Crow such as the uptempo, full-band sound of Rock All Night which is a radio-friendly country-crossover track that could do really well on radio here in the UK.
Maguire takes lead vocal on a couple of the tracks on the album. A Guy Like You has a light blues undertone to the melody with Maguireās seductive vocal floating over the groove. Her voice is different to Robisonās in tone and sound, and it gives Court Yard Hounds a new slant. The gorgeous Gets You Down is one of the albumās highlights, and one of the more stripped-back moments on the record.
Trying to pick standout tracks, or a finest moment on Amelita, is hard. Not because there arenāt any; in fact itās the complete opposite problem. Amelita is filled with such well-crafted songs that your favourite will change with every listen. The banjo-filled Phoebe is one of the albumās more full-on country moments and celebrates the duoās roots whilst Watch Your Step mixes rock sensibilities with a country edge. Album closer The Road You Take has a timeless sound that ends Amelita on a strong note featuring gorgeous harmonies from Robison and Maguire.
Amelita is indicative of two women who have found their sound and let their passion wring out from every moment. With plenty of highlights and strong arrangements, both musically and vocally, the album is an exciting and rewarding one. Court Yard Hounds should no longer be mentioned in the same sentence as Dixie Chicks when youāre referring to their music. Theyāve found their sound and itās incredibly addictive.