Shot Full of Love
Billy Ray Cyrus may be completely convinced of the magnitude of his own heart, but you can't trust him. Throughout his fifth studio album, Cyrus berates himself (or others) for not loving enough, for not letting go, for not living up to others' vague examples, for not spending more time with the kids. The sentiments are expressed in a musical and lyrical language as treacly as it is pat. Even when the themes stretch, Cyrus's voice has the uncanny capacity to transform a genuine line such as "I gave my soul to Jesus at the age of 22" (Cyrus got his start in gospel) into the thinnest gruel. Pity, as sonicallyShot Full of Loveis frequently satisfying, the toughest country rock he's yet mustered. Dead Reckoning veteran Mike Henderson dominates the guitar work, though it's hard to imagine him keeping a straight face while Cyrus crows about the "American Dream" or boasts about "rocking this planet."  A real country song or two might have redeemed such posturing.--Roy Kasten