Still Feels Good

Rascal Flatts don’t come from the hell-raising side of country — their turf is decidedly family-friendly. That said, they still manage to get a little steamy and break a few hearts, as Still Feels Good (2007) demonstrates. On this album, tracks like “Take Me There” and “No Reins” transcend regional references to create an All-American mood of romantic affirmation and self-empowerment. As before, the harmonies are the main attraction, with Gary LeVox’s lead vocals blending seamlessly with those of Joe Don Rooney and Jay DeMarcus. There are also a few new wrinkles in evidence, such as the Big & Rich-like “Bob That Head,” a groove-driven celebration of big truck love. Among the more reflective tunes, “It’s Not Supposed To Go Like That” stands out for its telling glimpses of bad choices and fatal mistakes. LeVox delivers his most sultry performance on “She Goes All The Way,” featuring a surprising walk-on by Jamie Foxx. Pedal Steel and banjo add down-home accents to the smoothly-arranged, guitar-centered sound. Still Feels Good lives up to its title — rather than making any radical departures, the band mostly sticks to the familiar and reaps the anticipated rewards of doing so.