Since their debut, pop-country darlings Old Dominion has consistently stayed in the middle of the pack of the country music industry. They’ve had moments where it felt like they were running Nashville during the Meat and Candy era when milquetoast singles like “Break Up With Him” were topping the charts. Commercially, they’ve had some super-high highs, super-low lows, and just about everything in between; as such, the group had a lot to prove with their new LP Memory Lane. The album could send the group down one of two roads: they could solidify themselves as country music’s dominant band, or they could remain in relative obscurity, where listeners may know their songs, but still have no idea what any of them look like. Unfortunately, it seems like Old Dominion are content to hold down their cheesy yacht-rock niche for now.
Old Dominion needed to put out a deep, meaningful album to set itself apart from its other records. However, deep and meaningful music has never really been in their DNA. Memory Lane does sprinkle in a few tracks that are both fun and thought-provoking, but largely, this is a record that runs together in a messy blur of radio-ready ditties. The one big standout, the title track “Memory Lane,” spent a couple of weeks at #1, and rightfully so. It has a clever concept and an evocative longing to the chorus that balances nostalgia and tempo.
As it happens, a musical disconnect between lyrics and tempo is consistently one of this record’s biggest shortcomings. Some songs are just needlessly upbeat, and it feels like the band never takes a moment to show real feelings. Most of the time, they maintain a plasticky facade that dilutes and makes them seem fake and cheap. “Memory Lane” was the only song that got away with this dichotomy, where the quicker pace and the reminiscence of the song complimented each other nicely.
Moreover, throughout the 18-track record, it seems like Old Dominion is dealing with some identity issues and they are struggling with what they want the album to be. It’s like the band only has one template for all of their music, whether they’re singing about a fun day on the beach or a rough breakup. Compare ‘Love Drunk and Happy’ to ‘Sleep Without Drinking;’ these songs sound almost exactly the same, though they’re about two very different moods. Consequently, nothing on this record feels very authentic.
And of course, as with most Old Dominion music, there’s nothing here to be excited about in general. All of these songs are forgettable. Even the songs that stand out early on get stale with repeated listens, and that’s not even getting to the songs that aren’t worth more than one listen. It doesn’t seem like any of these songs have the potential to grow on listeners. Being forgettable is a cardinal sin for a band that ostensibly makes pop music.
Eight of the 18 tracks had been previously released in June of 2023 as a part of the Memory Lane EP. Old Dominion has been leeching every little bit of the “Memory Lane” momentum that they can by taking the EP, mixing it into a long, bloated record, and using the same title. In the end, having these tracks here hurt the record more than they help it. Songs like “Some Horses” might’ve been decent enough a few months ago, but no one cares enough to hear them again.
Both Blake Shelton and Meg Moroney appear on the album for their respective duets. Moroney appears on “Can’t Break Up Now,” which, in particular, was a definite let-down. Moroney’s momentum has never been higher, and it seemed like she and lead singer Matthew Ramsey could put something great together. However, there wasn’t much chemistry between the vocalists at all. It was undoubtedly one of the more unique songs on the record and may stick with the listener more than some of the others, but this song reeked of one of those pointless collaborations between two labelmates.
Conversely, Blake Shelton and Matthew Ramsey had surprisingly good chemistry on “Ain’t Got a Worry.” Both artists can channel that carefree, good-old-boy vibe pretty well, and this was a team-up that made total sense for both acts. However, as is Old Dominion’s biggest weakness, the finished product gives listeners nothing to be excited about.
With a reputation for playing it safe firmly cemented, the time was now for Old Dominion to shock the world. Instead, they curled up in a ball and gave the naysayers even more ammunition. They’ll always be a fine band to listen to over a drink, but that’s really about it. As they continue to live out their tired purpose as purveyors of clean corporate country music, more interesting groups like the Turnpike Troubadours and Flatland Cavalry continue their ascent. But hey, the album may have been another sleepy miss, but Old Dominion will still somehow manage to snag another Group/Duo of the Year trophy at all the country music award shows.
3.5/10
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