Editorial Review

The idea of twang king Alan Jackson pairing up with Alison Krauss for an album of love songs might seem heretical to some, especially if they heard only the first cut, the adult-contemporary ballad "Anywhere on Earth You Are." But producer Krauss, whom Jackson approached to make a traditional bluegrass record, always knew there was a sensuous heart beating beneath his aw-shucks demeanor, one that would fit perfectly with the intimate repertoire, genre-bending musical framework, and virtuoso players she'd always chosen for herself. (Robert Lee Castleman, one of Krauss's favorite writers, weighs in with four tunes, and Ron Block, Jerry Douglas, and Dan Tyminski, Krauss's Union Station cohorts, anchor the band.) Jackson, it turns out, also wanted a chance to reflect on the ups and downs of his long marriage, apart from 1998's daring, spoken-word hit "I'll Go On Loving You," a far lustier admission than anything included here. If there's a downside to this brilliant, if unlikely pairing, it's that Krauss's somber program could benefit from something a tad more libidinous or uptempo. But what Read more

Reviews (42)

Outstanding and refreshing!
I really don't understand all the complaints! This is quite a departure for Alan Jackson, that much is true. This isn't the twangy Alan Jackson we are used to. But listen to this CD with fresh ears... it's really amazing! He has a truly unique voice that I would compare to the smoothness of Don Williams. What's wrong with an artist of Alan Jackson's calibur trying something new?! If it was the same old thing, people would compain about that too! In this release, he really shows a different side of himself, it's more bluesy and laid back. I found it a very comfortable listen and I enjoy it more every timeI hear it. Please don't let the negative comments on this CD keep you from giving it an honest try. It's worth the time!

Gorgeous!
This recording is lush, filled with fine musicanship.
Perhaps Country's Finest Vocalist
What is amazing to me about Alan Jackson is the fact that he is considered just a country artist.Listening to the phenomenal LIKE RED ON A ROSE, you often wonder if you are really listening to ONLY a country album.If I were to answer that question, I would say no-- Jackson has so much vocal appeal here that he should have no problem crossing genres to appeal to a broader audience than just the country fans that have lauded and followed his throughout his very successful career.Sure, LIKE RED ON A ROSE didn't open with the largest numbers of Jackson's career and also there is the possibility that where "quantity" is concerned it may not end up selling as much as his older, more "classic" albums, but in my opinion, LIKE RED ON A ROSE just may very well be my favorite country album of 2006 and also it just maybe one of my favorite albums of the entire year.
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Subjects:  1. Contemporary Country    2. Country    3. New Traditionalist    4. Pop    5. United States of America   

Reviews (13)

"Strait Country"... Just not 80's "Strait Country".
This CD doesn't appear to have any powerfully emotional songs in it, and then again it doesn't have many fastbeat songs either. Yet, at the same time, they somehow manage to (and may I say vaguely) keep the traditional country sound that makes him the king, with fiddles, and twangy guitars and all. Regardless of what you think about his music, Strait picks songs he can sing well, and the fact that theresfifteen new cuts instead of only 10? Thats a huge bonus that makes this CD worth it's five stars.

George rolls out another GREAT ONE!!Highly recommended!!
George Strait only gets better with time.This is another one of those CDs I'll never get tired of hearing.If you are thinking about buying this CD think no longer just go with your instincts & buy now, you know George won't let you down!!!!

He does it again
Again George Strait has done it.But I am his number one fan...And I love this CD.Prob close to a fave for me ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Contemporary Country    2. Country    3. New Traditionalist    4. Pop    5. United States of America   

Editorial Review

Nothing changes folks like babies and war, and since the release of their last album, 2002's Read more

Reviews (951)

Man the Dixie Chicks suck
The Dixie Chicks are whiny losers, and I hate them. Natalie Maines is a pig, and she has a major attitude problem. I hate their new music, and I don't even like Bush. If I saw Natalie Maines I'd yell at her and tell her she sucked because she does. Do not buy this cd. It's bad music, and there a million better things to spend money on than supporting crappy people and paying good money for bad crappy music.
Ya just don't get it...
do ya Natalie? The problem isn't your extreme dislike of Bush. The issue is your self indulgence - your insistence on stating your political opinions to a captive, PAYING audience. People are touchy about that kinda thing. Maybe they went a little overboard in their criticism. But they pay to hear you sing, NOT to hear about your politics. You're the Dixie Chicks - three of the most talented women ever to grace the music industry. So stop whining, get over it, and move ahead.

Let the music do the talking
As a father of an American girl, all I can say is "thank you."These girls rock.The attitude that is so blatant in the lyrics of the debut track is dripping from every note played on this album.This is the attitude I want my girl to have when she has to stand up to adversity. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Adult Contemporary    3. Contemporary Country    4. Country    5. Country-Pop    6. Neo-Traditionalist Country    7. Pop    8. Pop/Rock    9. United States of America   

Editorial Review

These new recordings of mostly recent Gill compositions are the culmination of a project aimed at recording four distinct albums: rock, romance, vintage honky-tonk, and acoustic. Read more

Reviews (9)

None Better!
It's hard to find the words to do this boxed set justice.Vince Gill proves beyond a doubt that the music is the message and nowhere is that message delivered with such richness as in these songs.His versatility, voice and grown-up love of writing, playing and singing are showcasedhere in an easy movement from one genre to the next. Appeal with this body of work is broad and exciting! Bravo, Mr. Gill!

Wailin' In A Big Way-Funky, Rockin'Balladeer
"Part of me thinks this has a chance to really break down some barriers, a chance to really go places that maybe I've never gotten to before," Gill says of the 43-track set, which includes collaborations with Sheryl Crow, jazz singer/pianist Diana Krall and the Everly Brothers' Phil Everly. "At the same time, my fear is that people will say, 'You know, 11 songs would've been just plenty.: interview with Vince Gill.
Vince Gill shines on These Days
This boxed set of all brand new music from Vince Gillbelongs in everyone's cd player.This music is a real treat for Vince's fans.And, what a bargain...43 songs for such a low price!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Contemporary Country    2. Country    3. New Traditionalist    4. Pop    5. United States of America   

Editorial Review

As the frontman for the Mavericks and a member of Los Super Seven, Raul Malo has applied his Orbison-like delivery to an eclectic array of material. On this, his latest solo effort, the warbler enlists veteran producer Peter Asher to focus on romantic balladry, as string-laden arrangements surround Malo's tremulous voice on the opening title track (a '70s hit for songwriter J.D. Souther) and the soaring "Feels Like Home" (reprised as the closer in a duet with Martina McBride). The song selection highlights Malo's vocal range, as he finds the bittersweet essence in a slowed-down rendition of the Everly Brothers' "So Sad," a dramatic reading of the Bee Gees' "Run to Me," and a lilting take on Ron Sexsmith's "Secret Heart."He even tackles Etta James's signature tune, "At Last," its jazzy, smoky sophistication punctuated by a trumpet solo.The cover of Willie Nelson's "Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground" provides the album's main link to country, but even here the bedrock organ and soul choir sound closer to the church than the roadhouse.The stellar selection provides a superb showcase for Malo's shimmering voice. Read more

Reviews (36)

Depressive....
Raul Malo is probably the best singer around today and is also my
A gift from God
One wonders what it must be like to sing like Raul....really....can you imagine it?To hit those notes, to round those notes out, to put feeling into them...and he only gets better.
Wonderful
This is what music should be & do-----take you away to another place and time. The first 5 songs are my favorite especially Willie Nelson's 'Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground'. I thought no one could ever touch Willie's versions, but I was wrong. Breathtaking. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Contemporary Country    2. Neo-Traditionalist Country    3. Pop    4. Progressive Country    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop    7. United States of America   

Editorial Review

This fourth effort from the soft-rock-masquerading-as-country band Rascal Flatts moved more than 721,000 copies its first week out, which let the female-friendly trio rub elbows with some mighty heady company. Only four other country artists (Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, the Dixie Chicks, and Tim McGraw) have rolled out numbers like that, and only 24 other acts total (including Eminem, 50 Cent, U2, and Coldplay). So what's the hook, besides Gary LeVox's wounded tenor and Joe Don Rooney's boy-band face? Clearly, it's the songs. Or it Read more

Features

• Enhanced

Reviews (118)

Great country
Of the numerous country cds I bought this year, this one is my favorite.A great cd!

Definately a miss....
I have to say that I'm a musician, and as a musician I have respect for the guys.But just because I respect them as musicians doesn't mean I'm obligated to like their songs.Honestly, I never really had a problem with Rascal Flatts until this album came out.
Nashville "Trash"? Please.
I read one review on here calling Rascal Flatts "Nashville Trash". It definitely gave me a good laugh, for how wrong they were, but it also made me shake my head in disgust. Why? Simple. The person was just trying to copy what everyone else (that dislikes the group) was saying.
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Subjects:  1. Contemporary Country    2. Country    3. Pop   

Editorial Review

Would Read more

Reviews (1278)

Our own Carrie Underwood!!!
She is the best Idol so far and some day I hope to go to the American Idol tryouts and be just like her!!!
Staying power beyond "Bubble Gum" pop....
Although I love watching new talent, I am not much for the hype of American Idol.Still, I saw enough of Carrie Underwood's performance in the competition to decide that I would give her album a shot, and it was definitely worth it!Likely intended as a country-pop album for a "younger" crowd, Carrie's first set of vocals is fun, moving, and powerful enough to cross generations.I can put this CD in and listen to it several times through before I even think about putting in something different.I find the title track to be somewhat annoying, but the rest of the effort is solid.Carrie shows us insightful hopefulness on "Wasted" and "Jesus Take the Wheel," butt-kicking authority on "Before He Cheats," and the pain of loss on "Starts with Goodbye".Overall, I think Carrie earned her AI title, and it should be interesting to see if she can reach Clarkson-like popularity.If you like Faith Hill, Shania Twain, and (of course) Kelly Clarkson, chances are you'll find at least a few tracks to love on "Some Hearts."

The best Idol debut yet, and a great pop-country cross over
It was obvious during the top 12 of the fourth season of American Idol, that if Carrie didn't win, it would have been a huge upset. Good as Bo, or any of the others may or may not have been, Carrie was never in the bottom, almost always praised, and was cut out from way back to her audition to go far. She's pretty, and has a great voice to boot too, why wouldn't she win? Well she did win it, and it should have been obvious to everyone that her debut album would be country. It was just naturally her genre from the get go, which is one reason this album suceeds. Unlike many idol contestants, Carrie knew and everyone else knew exactly what genre she fit into, so sticking to her natural genre, and throwing in some pop crossover appeal, we get Some Hearts.
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Subjects:  1. Adult Contemporary    2. Contemporary Country    3. Country    4. Pop    5. Pop Vocals   

Editorial Review

A few decades ago nearly every country singer had at least one--often more--gospel albums in their catalog. Today, aside from gospel veteran Amy Grant, who balances the sacred and secular, and Randy Travis, that concept has long faded. For Alan Jackson, however, treating the musical past as present has been a way of life, as it is with these 15 timeless hymns from his youth. Recorded with just two acoustic guitars and a piano, it was originally a private Christmas present to his mother. The spare instrumentation is surprisingly robust behind his flawless readings of "I'll Fly Away," "Softly and Tenderly," "How Great Thou Art," "Are You Washed in the Blood?," and "The Old Rugged Cross," all as beguilingly unpretentious as any of his country hits. Instead of an all-star duet, wife Denise and daughters Mattie and Ali join in on "'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus."In the end, what began as a private bequest becomes a moving, eloquent gift to Jackson's entire audience. Read more

Reviews (70)

A Great CD
My sister told me about the CD. I'm glad she did. You won't be disappointed.Alan Jackson does a great job singing the old time favorites like Blessed Assurance, How Great Thou Art, The Old Rugged Cross, and he does a wonderful job.

WOW Great CD
its a great CD i love it so i got one for my dad (preorder) and then he loved it so he got one for my mom, and then they got it for my grandmother. and then my dad got it for our Church and now they play it every sunday!

By all means
I dont think you will be disapointed if you like the old hyms & Alan Jackson what a perfect combo. I reach for this time & time again . ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Contemporary Country    2. Country    3. Country Gospel    4. New Traditionalist    5. Pop    6. United States of America   

Editorial Review

Live country albums are relatively scarce these days, and that's regrettable.Granted, the studio is a remarkable place, yet there's something about a quality concert recording--the immediacy and raw interaction with the audience--that no studio effort can match. While most concert albums are recorded at one location, Kenny Chesney created this collection from tapes of five years of shows at various locales. The material reflects the past eight years of his career, including "How Forever Feels" from 1998, "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy" from 1999, and "What I Need to Do" from 2000. "When the Sun Goes Down" comes complete with Uncle Kracker, who appeared on the single. There's an edgy version of 2005's "Beer in Mexico" and a remarkable performance of "Anything But Mine" in which a surprised Chesney stands by as the audience takes over the chorus. What's amazing is the blazing-hot consistency of the band throughout. While their backing reflects Chesney's arena-rock influences (no number is shorter than four minutes), his charisma, energetic presence, and ability to connect is pure country. Read more

Features

• Live

Reviews (5)

Great live CD, BUT.......
there are several songs "missing" on this live CD! For one.....I am sooooo disappointed that Kenny's version of Conway Twitty's "Love to lay you down" did not make it onto the cd. :( Kenny says that they tried to record it, but it never came out "right". WHAT????? The few times I heard it live it was PERFECT!!!! I am sure other concert attendees would agree with me too! Kenny should have done a "double live" cd like Garth did. He has TOO many hits to just do 1 CD of 14 songs!
great performance.....recording quality low
Kenny's performance is as good as it gets, however the mixing of this album could have been alot better. The way they did the crowd noise is annoying and the guitars sound like they are background music. When I bought this cd I also bought ac/dc live, I know what your thinking... but it was a disapointment to listen to a good quality live recording then listening to Live those songs again. Overall it is still worth buying.

A Great Album!!
A great feel good, good times CD throughout...
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Subjects:  1. Contemporary Country    2. Country    3. New Traditionalist    4. Pop   

Editorial Review

The success of his debut, Read more

Reviews (64)

Nice album from a very nice guy
This review contains nothing new from what you have already read from the other customers who have heard, and own this particular album. This is straight up country music album, as what a country album should be. I bought this album mainly because I was blown away by the song "Your Man". Although the songs here are strong, besides that smash hit "Your Man", highlights of this record are: Lord Have Mercy on a Country Boy, Way Down South, and Gravity. Why I didn't give this album a full 5 star is there are some songs that I didn't particularly enjoy: "No Rush" is a drag, too slow for my liking therefore I think it's entitled appropriately and "White Noise" is an okay song, I just never was a fan of Jon Anderson. Overall, Josh's second release is worth the listen. Enjoy!

blown away
At work, I only needed the traffic report before hitting the hiway, and found it on some country station. I normally do not listen to country, being a classical music lover. Whilst listening, this singer came on with the 'your man' song, and I found myself amazed at this voice. Days to follow I looked forward to the traffic report, and to hopefully hear this voice again. They played another song 'will you go with me' by this singer, and his name was mentioned after, and so in knowing his name, I found his albums on amazon. Well now I can say I definately am a country fan, and am ordering his music. Am very impressed and happy for finding thisopen door into a beautiful sector of music that I haven't explored before.
Not a perfect album, but good
From the first time I heard "Would you go with me" I loved that song. (The video is good, too.) The banjo and mandolin combine so beautifully that the tune sticks in your head and heart.I am not a big country fan to begin with, but Turner's voice was so good I figured I'd buy the album.
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Subjects:  1. Americana    2. Contemporary Country    3. Country    4. Neo-Traditionalist Country    5. Pop   

Editorial Review

The Wreckers are Grammy-winning songstress Michelle Branch and friend/journeywoman Nashville singer-songwriter Jessica Harp, a team whose solid craftsmanship and soaring, airtight harmonies often lift their hook-smart contemporary country stylings above what's too often mere fizzy, pop-crossover formula. They may have entered the public consciousness via the wide exposure of "Good Kind" on the primetime soap opera Read more

Reviews (74)

Fun Music
This is a great country/pop blend of music.It's 1 of my favorite cd's ever since I bought it.I love their vocal blends.

Michelle Branch goes Country
I am a longtime fan of Michelle Branch and of both her previous albums--Spirit Room and Hotel Paper.When I heard she had joined up with another female singer and started a duo, I was interested, though somewhat dismayed by the delay of their album release.When I finally learned that it came out, I balked to learn that it was classified as Country.After all, I am not a Country fan, and greatly preferred the somewhat pop/rock turning towards alternative feel of Branch's first two CDs.But after listening to samples of songs on Amazon and iTunes, I decided to give the CD a shot anyway--Michelle Branch, to this day, remains the only singer I have enough confidence in my enjoying her music that I would buy one of her albums entirely on blind faith.
Pretty and Talented
It seems like just yesterday that Michelle Branch delivered to us a little bit of this and a little bit of that with Santana.Now, a few hits and a few years later we find her turning her back on the modern/alternative rock radio stations that were rumored to be a thorn in her side.Michelle teams up with Jessica Harp to deliver an Alt-Country cd that, at times, sounds like Sheryl Crow meets the Dixie Chicks. I've been hearing the first single Leave The Pieces streaming out of sound systems in just about every type of retail setting possible.I'd say that "pretty" little Michelle & Jessica will be making a "wreck" out of the charts for quite some time.The bottom line: mirror & ear friendly cd. ;) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Country-Rock    3. Contemporary Country    4. Country    5. Country-Pop    6. Pop    7. Rock    8. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

Tim McGraw's second greatest-hits collection in six years is also his ninth consecutive debut at #1 on the Billboard country charts. That means he must be doing something right. But what, precisely, aside from keeping up his hunk factor, and maturing his voice? Well--choosing dynamic songs that resonate at the very core of most folks' emotional center, for starters. So it's no surprise that this 16-song package kicks off with "Live Like You Were Dying," his ten-week #1 crossover hit. In addition to chart-toppers dating from 1995 ("Not a Moment Too Soon"), McGraw fills the track list with two smashes that never appeared on his own albums: his Grammy-winning duet with wife Faith Hill, "Like We Never Loved At All," and "Over and Over," the soulful Nelly confession in which McGraw, his voice technically altered, essentially serves as the rapper's tortured psyche. Of the four new songs, a cover of Ryan Adams's "When the Stars Go Blue" emerges as a stellar example of the pained loner ballads McGraw does so well, and brings to mind the faint desperation inherent in his interpretation of Elton John's "Tiny Dancer." And "My Little Girl," one of two rare McGraw co-writes here (joining "I've Got Friends Who Do"), draws on his experience as a parent and promises to flatten any father who's ever tucked in his daughter. Through the years, McGraw's on-record persona has evolved from the wimpish underdog ("Don't Take the Girl") to the strong, sensitive alpha male, both in his take-charge delivery and his sometimes edgy repertoire ("Red Ragtop"). All in all, this lengthy, hooky offering isn't just a "value pack" for McGraw fans--it's reason to hire a skywriter. Read more

Reviews (39)

It's Tim - What's not to love???
This album is as good or better than Tim McGraw and The Dancehall Doctors!Awesome!If you are a McGraw fan, this is a must have to your collection!

Could be better, but it's another solid "hits" record from Tim
Tim McGraw's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 is the second collection of hits from Tim.For the most part, it's a solid collection.Most of this record's material consists of songs Tim recorded with his own backup band, The Dancehall Doctors.Tim's signature song "Live Like You Were Dying" is on here, along with "Red Ragtop", "My Old Friend", "She's My Kind Of Rain", "Real Good Man", and "Watch The Wind Blow By".Tim also included some of his hits from the late '90s and the early part of this decade.Tim's 2001 hits "Grown Men Don't Cry" and "The Cowboy In Me" are on this record, along with "Everywhere" and "Not A Moment Too Soon", songs that I think were mistakenly left off his first Greatest Hits album.To go on, there's yet another husband-and-wife duet featuring Tim and Faith Hill, "Like We Never Loved At All", from Faith's recent Fireflies album.Tim's duet with rap superstar Nelly, "Over And Over", is a change-of-pace song that lightens things up.Tim's completely new songs include "My Little Girl", "I've Got Friends That Do", "Beautiful People", and his current hit "When The Stars Go Blue", all well-done numbers.
Gotta Love It
Guys, if you've got feelings for Tim, you're gonna love this one. If you know anything about honest to God country music, this is what you look for. This guy is extremely good and his music fits. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Contemporary    2. Contemporary Country    3. Country    4. Country-Pop    5. Neo-Traditionalist Country    6. Pop    7. United States of America   

Editorial Review

Since Toby Keith's commercial success and canny image manipulation show how shrewd he is, perhaps the best explanation for songs as lackluster as "Note to Self" (a generic Rolling Stones arrangement with a hokey lyric) and "Runnin' Block" (about bedding an unattractive woman for the benefit of a buddy) are either laziness or pandering. On Read more

Reviews (358)

Treasure in the trash

What Have You Become?
First of all I do think Toby Keith has talent. There are songs from his previous work that I like and prove his skill and talent as a songwriter and musician. With this album I fear that he is continuing a slide into self-parody and risks the possibility that he won't be taken seriously and he will become a caricature. One of the things I have respected about him was that early in his career he had the integrity to be himself and do the music he wanted to and not what the executives in Nashville wanted him to do. That's artistic integrity. But I fear that the niche he carved for himself might turn into a grave for his career. He found his place in country music as the rebellious macho outspoken country boy. But now that has become the formula which sells a product and he seems to be milking that formula for all the profit that its worth But he is losing his soul in the process and becoming at some level the very thing he rebelled against. Now he panders to a certain fan-base and risks encouraging every country/red-neck/hick stereotype, prejudice and cliché that can be so detrimental, divisive and harmful. The testosterone filled music which he helped popularize and is currently being played by artists such as Montgomery-Gentry will run's its course and fizzle in popularity. When that is done will anyone want to listen to Toby Keith anymore? I hope he gets back on track and instead of trying to please a certain demographic for temporary gain he looks within and writes music that has the possibility of becoming timeless.

Runnin' Block
Toby, what were you thinking? Did you really set out to offend over half of your listening audience with this obnoxious song?
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Subjects:  1. Contemporary Country    2. Country    3. New Traditionalist    4. Pop    5. United States of America   

Editorial Review

His triumph on the talent-seeking Read more

Reviews (9)

Great Debut CD
Good country voice.Good listening.Several songs I really enjoy."Beer or Gasoline" is cute, "You're Gonna Love Me" and "Drinkin' Me Lonely" are well sung and "I'm Headed Your Way, Jose" is great fun."Flowers" is also good.I was pleasantly surprised with many good songs.(I bought it for his Nashivlle Star song, "Drinkin' Me Lonely) and was not disappointed with the whole album.

HUGE Debut for Chris Young
It's very rare that I get a cd, much less a debut cd, from an artist and I can honestly say there's not a bad track in the bunch, but I'm glad to say that I can say that about this one.I watched and voted in the Nashville Star competiton and I am so glad to see this release.The song choices are excellent, the production is outstanding and what can I say about Chris's voice except that it's excellent!I would be happy to hear any of these tracks on the radio, but will say my favorites are of course the 1st single, "Drinkin' Me Lonely", the excellent message song "Flowers"and the tounge firmly planted in cheek "I'm Heading Your Way, Jose".The disc starts off on a high note with "Beer Or Gasoline" and doesn't let you down until "Who's Gonna Take Me Home" which is another great track.If you love your country, then you have to love newcomer Chris Young. Give him a listen and see if you don't agree.

Chris Young Has Got It All
It has been a long time since I have been so excited about a CD.This CD is a great mix of music from a tear jerker (Flowers) to a couple of tunes that make you LOL (White Lightening and Your Way, Jose).Ballad or up tempo song, this guy can sing!He has that smooth Tennesee baritone voice that makes you keep listening to every song over and over again.I am a huge country music fan, and having heard this CD I can only think "YES, this is what I have been wanting to hear!" I love every song on the CD!This is only the beginning for the rising star of Chris Young!A must buy! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Country    2. Pop   

Editorial Review

A surprise hit in 2004 and 2005, this Atlanta-based threesome arrived on the scene at precisely the right time--when country trios (Dixie Chicks, Rascal Flatts, and to a lesser extent, Trick Pony and SheDaisy) had proved themselves in the marketplace. Like those acts, Sugarland trade on solid and sometimes intricate harmonies and a killer lead vocalist. In this case, the full-tilt Jennifer Nettles plays Natalie Maines to Kristen Hall and Kristian Bush's Emily and Martie. And while it would be lovely to hear another member of the trio out front occasionally, Nettles, a deep-dish Southerner who knows no one-syllable words ("air" is "aye-er"), is a commanding presence. Stylistically, the group mixes it up, from the folk-rock of Hall and Bush's backgrounds to the driving pop that dominates much of contemporary country radio; thematically, the songs largely revolve around restlessness, the need to escape restrictions and find one's self, and the faith that things will work out. "Baby Girl," the hit about an itinerant musician writing home for money and emotional connectedness, is but one of several surefire winners here, which include "Something More," a mid-tempo quest for a more meaningful life, and "Tennessee," in which a radio request line rescues true love. The quieter songs ("Fly Away," "Hello") are no less well written and affecting, even as the barnburning "Down in Mississippi (Up to No Good),"