35mph Town
Toby Keith
(Show Dog/Universal)
Four stars
For the first time in a decade, Toby Keith let two years pass between albums. As prolific as he is consistent, Keith took time off from recording – but returns with 35mph Town, an album as entertaining as his best. Considering he writes nearly all of his own material – including nine of 10 new songs on this record – the break allowed him to cherry-pick the top tunes. Not that the veteran country star has been slipping – 2013's Drinks After Work and 2010's Bullets In the Gun also were high points in his 22-year career – but 35mph Town highlights his playful side. Good Gets Here and Every Time I Drink I Fall In Love poke fun at his foibles, while Drunk Americans joins a long list of Keith tunes addressing blue-collar workers' tendency to blow off steam by tipping back a few. Keith continues country music's fixation with island rhythms on Rum Is the Reason and Sailboat For Sale, the latter a duet with Jimmy Buffett. Even when treading familiar ground, though, Keith's clever lyrical twists and narratives make the trek fresh and fun. Long may he keep cruising, at whatever speed he wants.