Mountains
Inspirational power ballads with soaring harmonies dominate the ninth album by this veteran Texas quartet. Whether singing of the everyday, character-building challenges faced by ordinary folks in the title track, celebrating the comforts of domestic bliss in "Nothing to Prove," or thanking a higher power in "Hey God," much of the material has a thematic uplift that matches the music.  Two of the songs, "Long Lost Smile" and "What She Had to Do," tell the story of a heroic woman who runs away from an abusive or neglectful relationship. Yet the band shows a sexier side with the double entendre of "Cowboy Girl," the sensual "One of Those Nights," and the steamy "Careful Where You Kiss Me." While songs name-check rock idols like Van Morrison and Bob Seger, the closing "Always in the Band" makes Lonestar sound more like the Journey of contemporary country.--Don McLeese