TOBY KEITH
Unleashed
Dreamworks Nashville

  Country superstar Toby Keith’s latest is a flat, lifeless collection of trite and generic not quite country tunes. Even a guest appearance by Willie Nelson on “Beer For My Horses” can’t save just plain stupid lyrics like “We’ll raise up our glasses against evil forces. Whiskey for my men and beer for my horses.” Toby wants to rock. Toby wants to make a statement. He’s obviously not capable of it. Even his jingoistic, flag-waving, controversial “Courtesy Of The Red, White, & Blue” lacks any sparks. The lifeless recording doesn’t help. The best track is “Good To Go To Mexico.” Its use of Latin beats and mariachi horns raise it above everything around it, which is actually not hard to do. If you’re looking for a really lame rehash of Southern rock, you’ll like “Who’s Your Daddy.” If you want to hear possibly the worst power ballad ever, you’ll enjoy “Rock You Baby.” If you love good music, you will not love this. Be warned. There is a lot of great country music out there. This ain’t it. (www.dreamworksnashville.com)

(Chris McKay/concertshots.com)

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