Brad Paisley - 5th Gear

Like his friend Vince Gill, Brad Paisley has achieved the often-difficult feat of reconciling being an entertainer and world-class guitarist.

He's proven that on four admirable albums, and 5th Gear follows in that vein. Superior fare is on offer such as the insightful All I Wanted Was a Car and Online, a sly satire of people's Web facades.

The closing hymn, When We All Get to Heaven, and ripping instrumental Throttleneck are Paisley at his best. It's admirable that he invites his venerable buddies, Little Jimmy Dickens, George Jones, Vince Gill, and Bill Anderson, along with Dolly Parton to share in the glory.

In a time where lines between county and pop are blurring far too much, it's comforting to know Paisley still realises and respects the differences.

• All I Wanted Was A Car
• Ticks
• Online
• Letter To Me
• I'm Still A Guy
• Some Mistakes
• It Did
• Mr Policeman
• If Love Was A Plane
• Oh Love feat. Carrie Underwood
• Better Than This
• With You Without You
• Previously
• Bigger Fish To Fry
• When We All Get To Heaven
• Throttleneck