Old Dominion, Old Dominion

Old Dominion

Old Dominion, Old Dominion – Review

by John Gaddis

Country band, Old Dominion is comprised of five members Matthew Ramsey (lead vocals), Trevor Rosen (guitar, keyboards), Whit Sellers (drums), Geoff Sprung (bass guitar), and Brad Tursi (guitar). The band has released three full-length albums and three EPs. They released two   self-titled EPs in 2014 and 2019, followed in the next year by their debut studio album, Meat and Candy on RCA Records Nashville. Their second album Happy Endings was released in 2017. In addition to their own material, Ramsey, Rosen, and Tursi have written several hit singles for other contemporary country music artists.  Now, in 2019, Old Dominion freshly released a self-titled full-length album.

The album is brimming with hook-oriented pop country tunes, songs like “Make It Sweet,” and “American Style,” offer an easy free-wheeling vibe that is filled with sunny lyrics and sweet as tea colloquialisms.  While “One Man Band,” and “My Heart is a Bar,” tap into the groups softer side with tightly woven harmonies and sympathetic instrumentation that add to the emotional depth of the tunes.  Ramsey has an empathetic vocal style; his voice has a warming quality that puts the listener at ease instantly. His delivery is sincere which adds to the believability of the lyrics.

“I’ll Roll,” finds Ramsey in the lower tones of his range, here the growl of his voice creates a rugged sound that compliments the lyrical story of the song.  What is most striking about each tune on this self-titled album, is the groups ability to take each song and sonically create the supporting instrumentation and character of the song and allow each track to have their own variance. Creating a nice sonic landscape from track to track. Giving the listener plenty to enjoy on this twelve-track album.

Lyrics: I’ll Roll

West coast hippie in a pickup truck
With stickers all over the back
Vanity plate that says “Livin’ Life”
I bet you love to take it off the map
You seem like a girl who sleeps under the stars
Every single chance you get

Ooh-ooh
Wherever you end up is where you’ll be
Ooh-ooh
If you’re looking for a little bit of company

I’ll roll
I can be your navigator
I’ll roll
I’ll be on my best behavior
I’ll roll
East, west, north to south
I’ll roll
Baby, break the good stuff out and
I’ll roll

You’re the kind of girl that only exists
In a Kerouac paperback dream
There’s just enough room in your front seat
For me to drop everything
I just wanna read a couple highway signs
Ain’t got no tie-you-down plans

Ooh-ooh
I just wanna burn down a road I ain’t ever been down
Ooh-ooh
When the gas in the tank or my welcome runs out

I’ll roll
I ain’t trying to cramp your style
I’ll roll
Give me just a few good miles
I’ll roll
I can just fade to black
I’ll roll
You can have your blue sky back
I’ll roll

Ooh-ooh
Wherever you end up is where you’ll be
Ooh-ooh
I’m just looking for a little bit of wild and free
Can I roll?
I’ll roll

I’ll roll
I can be your navigator
I’ll roll
I’ll be on my best behavior
I’ll roll
East, west, north to south
I’ll roll
Baby, break the good stuff out and
I’ll roll
I ain’t trying to cramp your style
I’ll roll
Baby, give me just a few good miles
I’ll roll
Then I can just fade to black
I’ll roll
You can have your blue sky back
I’ll roll
I’ll roll

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