Is anyone else missing the Dixie Chicks? The last album they released as a group was Taking the Long Way in 2006, which included “Not Ready to Make Nice,” their response to the crap they took from the country music world for Natalie’s remark in London that she was ashamed that George W. Bush was from Texas. Marti and Emily released Court Yard Hounds in 2010; I reviewed it last year. There’s no news on the Chicks’ website about any new album, although they did tour with The Eagles last year.

All of that is leading up to this: if you watched the Grammys either of the last two years you may have noticed that a trio calling itself Lady Antebellum won a few awards in the country music category. I made a note to reserve their albums at the library, and I just got the first one, cleverly titled Lady Antebellum.

It’s very good. The harmonies are tight, the backup band is strong, and the song selections are good. They write their own material, too. This album reminds me of the Chicks’ latest album; it’s got fast tracks, it’s got slow tracks, it’s got wailing guitars and softly-played ones, and the three band members (Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott) share the lead vocals around.

Give it a listen.