Depending on your slant, George Strait [ tickets ] is either the last gentleman cowboy or the father of the bland "New Country" movement.

The Pearsall, TX native comes across like both on his new CD, "Somewhere Down in Texas." He once again rides his pony straight down the middle of the dusty road, and the result is another batch of sanitized and safe songs that can be enjoyed by both Gene Autry fans and Tim McGraw enthusiasts.

The problem is that it's hard to see either crowd enjoying it very much. His few attempts at being rowdy to attract younger listeners seem highly forced and totally unbelievable. A track like "If the Whole World Was a Honky Tonk" seems better suited for the likes of Kenny Chesney.

While the softer numbers are a better fit for Strait's Western traditionalist vocal approach, these ballads seem to just be weak retreads of past hits. There's not a single one that rises near the level of such former glories as "Amarillo by Morning," "You Look So Good in Love" or "Let's Fall to Pieces Together."

The one standout track is "Good News, Bad News," a duet with Lee Ann Womack. Yet, that's hardly enough to sell it. Just stick with Gene Autry or Tim McGraw and forget the middleman.