Big Dog Daddy (by Toby Keith, Country)

You may find some songs on BIG DOG DADDY getting stuck in your head. For example, "High Maintenance Woman" delivers a blistering lead guitar, a solid rhythm section, and memorably clever lyrics. But there's even more to it than that: It's about nothing less than the concept of social class in America, whether or not we like to admit that such a thing exists. "She wouldn't look my way/but buddy what do you expect/I'm just the fix it up boy at the apartment complex…I ain't asked her out yet 'cause I don't know if I can/you see a high maintenance woman don't want no maintenance man," sings Keith as the regular-working-class guy about his well-heeled fantasy woman. And "Love Me If You Can," might inspire discussions about sticking up for your beliefs even if they are not popular.

The CD offers a great lead-in to family discussions about wealth and class, and how people from different backgrounds treat one another. Still other songs celebrate booze-fueled party fun, which may make some families uncomfortable. Others might take issue with the sappiness on songs like "I Know She Hung the Moon," or the rather graphic first-time-sex-in-the-car description in "Burnin' Moon Light." But you've got to hand it Toby Keith; he's a man who's not afraid to be himself -- someone who knows his way around both small-town America and a musical hook, and isn't afraid to use it.

Released on: June 12, 2007
Label: Show Dog Nashville
Genre: Country