By Meredith O’Donnell

When the demeaning sexual exploitation of women, vulgar language and shallow lyrics get old, escape to a simplistic, laidback world where women have clothes and lyrics have substance. It’s not easy to come by on the local TV or radio stations, but graze Wal-Mart or Sam Goody for a country CD.

Brad Paisley’s latest, Mud on the Tires, showcases down-home Southern values in the grittiest of ways; “Girl with a little luck / We might just get stuck / Let’s get a little mud on the tires,” he suggests in his title track, as he croons on about desolate dirt roads and catfish-inhabited lakes. Paisley then displays humor in his first single “Celebrity,” which mocks the recent reality TV show overflow. “Can’t wait to sue my dad / Can’t wait to wreck a Ferrari / On my way to rehab,” Paisley jests. Seinfeld’s Jason Alexander guest stars in this music video portraying a demanding celebrity in a coffee shop berating the adolescent employee.

The star of The Father of the Bride and Paisley’s wife of two years, Kimberly Williams, inspired his second single, the sentimental “Little Moments.” Sweet stories convey a genuine, tender feeling as Paisley shares anecdotes of a fender-bender involving his truck, his burnt birthday cake, and misread directions landing them both lost but in love; mishaps which cause most men to convulse. “When she steals my heart again and doesn’t even know it… I live for little moments like that,” he confesses.

A haunting melody, thought-provoking content, and an appropriately eerie voice track composes “Somebody Knows You Now.” Paisley pensively reflects on a relationship as he explains how he knows her like nobody else ever has or ever will. A six-string twang, a combination of both touching and silly songs and an irresistible Southern drawl join forces to celebrate the pride that prevails just below the Mason-Dixon Line.