accessAtlanta

COUNTRY
George Strait.
"Somewhere Down In Texas." MCA Nashville. 11 tracks.
Grade: C-

The graying country legend George Strait drifts dangerously close to late-period Brando on his new disc, "Somewhere Down in Texas."

(ENLARGE)
'Somewhere Down in Texas' by George Strait
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Strait's commercial pedigree is hardly in doubt — just last year, in fact, he released an aptly titled double-disc set called "50 Number Ones." But his Achilles heel on that compilation, which carries over here, is a crippling tendency to schmaltz up the slow songs and turn the fast ones into corn.

I used to like "Heartland," until someone pointed out its blithe neglect for telling details. And I might've liked the new song "If the Whole World Was a Honky Tonk" if it didn't implicitly exclude everyone who might not feel at home in a place where you're encouraged to "show off that red around your neck."

Texas pride is fine and good, but why does Strait seem so satisfied with his inability to pronounce a Mexican town in "The Seashores of Old Mexico"?

And why, in "She Let Herself Go," does he discuss taking a singles cruise to landlocked Las Vegas? Does he even read these lyrics, invariably written by several people not Strait, before he sings them?

His voice is still beautiful, and the album-closing "By the Light of a Burning Bridge" is a gem on par with the best of "50 Number Ones," but overall one gets the disconcerting feeling that Strait is turning into Dr. Moreau, with "Texas" as his island.

— Nick Marino

Also out this week

"We Will Become Like Birds" from sweet singer-songwriter Erin McKeown; "Destination Unknown" from (Ron) Sexsmith & (Rheostatic's Don) Kerr; "Red" from "American Idol" Season 3 contestant John Stevens; "One Step Closer" from jam band String Cheese Incident and soundtracks from "Six Feet Under" and "War of the Worlds."