LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Band Perry didn’t expect to take off on their first album, which made the second album so much harder to make. Bassist Reid Perry says they weren’t sure what their next step should be, so that’s what they wrote about.

That, and going home. Perry says they have been home maybe two weeks in two years. Singer Kimberly Perry says their new album, “Pioneer,” has been a real roller-coaster ride to make. She says, “It’s been our best friend. It’s been our arch enemy, it’s been our teacher and it’s been our therapy session.” ”Pioneer” is out this week.