Dangerous Man

After a decade of recording, the no-nonsense, deep-voiced Adkins has blossomed recently with riproaring, crowd-pleasing fare like "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk." Similar material turns up this time in the form of "Swing" (will it be Major League Baseball's answer to Hank Williams Jr.'s "All My Rowdy Friends Are Comin' Over Tonight"?) and the sing-along anthems "Ladies Love Country Boys" and "Fightin' Words." Beyond that, Adkins's honest, emotive blue-collar substance emerges on the thoughtful small-town chronicle "I Came Here to Live" and the sensual, contrite "Words Get in the Way." He similarly excels with "Ride," a hard-edged trucker tune; the anti-drug cautionary "High"; and "The Stubborn One," a poignant tale of the lifelong bond between a young man and his dying grandfather. In this day and age, it's a no-brainer that Adkins has to give the masses (and radio) the kinds of anthems they want. But unlike some artists, capable of doing that and not much more, his ability to project honesty, heart, and empathy is undeniable. --Rich Kienzle