Review Summary: Toby Keith being Toby Keith for the umpteenth time in a row.
18 albums in 22 years? Sounds like it's been a productive career for Toby Keith. One of the most prominent country artists of the 90s and 2000s, he's penned true blue country anthems, some catchy hooks, and turned a few heads in politics (i.e. his 2006 feud with the Dixie Chicks.) His pop crossover hit "Red Solo Cup" in 2011 is arguably the last time he's had any mainstream relevance. His records will still sell and please fans, but after releasing an album every year since 2005 has seen him decrease in popularity and in quality.
Keith can sing. The issue is, 35 MPH Town is just Toby Keith being Toby Keith. He generally talks about beers and politics and society, and that's exactly what he does is. The title track sees him talk about the absence of religion. The opening track sees him talk about being drunk regardless of political views, skin color, etc. Keith can criticize "bro country" in his charismatic and vocal scheme of living. But this album kind of feels like he's trying to mold his songcraft into exactly that. Granted, these are lyrics he's been co-penning since his public genesis in the early 90s. But with the bro country movement in full force, Keith pretty much fits right in.
"What She Left Behind" is your typical "she won't miss me until I'm gone" mid tempo ballad that Keith, among others have milked like a cow since the dawn of time. "Every Time I Drink I Fall in Love" is the amalgamation of what happens when you drink too much, which is something Keith promotes through and through, especially on this record.
In short, this 34 minute long player is for fans, not critics. If you're a fan of Keith, you'll buy it and love it, it's well produced. If you don't like the music, you won't buy the album. I can't really sway you one way or the other, because Toby Keith is Toby Keith. The end result has gone from being fantastic to very mundane and average at best.
