Now, this is a little more like it. I admit, 2005's HILLBILLY DELUXE was a big hit for the guys, but I felt it was really just average work. As the Amazon reviewer pointed out above, Brooks & Dunn's albums do tend to have about an even mix of great songs and suprisingly mediocre ones. And while COWBOY TOWN isn't perfect, it certainly hits more than it misses.

The lead single, "Proud of the House We Built" is cut from the same cloth as 2003's excellent "Red Dirt Road." The guys' affection for the Rolling Stones (heard also in two songs on the RED DIRT ROAD disc) comes through not only in direct references ("Johnny Cash Junkie") but in the playful, honkytonk rhythm of cuts like the spirited "Put a Girl In It."

In fact, much of COWBOY TOWN pays tribute to seventies-era rock and country. Kix Brooks' "Drop in the Bucket" is such a textbook ZZ Top number, I was surprised to learn the song wasn't a cover of some lost tune from the fun-lovin' Texans. Brooks' ongoing Seger-esque observations of lost joys of youth inform every moment of "Ballad of Jerry Jeff Walker", which features a gargoyle-voiced cameo from its title character.

Inevitably, after nearly an album's worth of up-tempo numbers about cowboys, girls and booze, the duo succumbs to the now-obligatory Thoughtful Ballad or two. Good intentions aside, it's hard to defend such trite observations as "A preacher named King/Well, he had a dream" (from "American Dreamer") or most any line from the current events travelogue of the second single "God Must Be Busy." With ballads--and Brooks and Dunn should know this by now, after "Believe" spent like 30 weeks on the charts--less is more. The guys are at their best when they relax with a simple story song like "Cowgirls Don't Cry."

I think COWBOY TOWN works for both longtime fans and relative newcomers. For the former, the album is along the same lines as RED DIRT ROAD, with less filler. And to the latter, it might prove a welcome remedy from the same old redneck garbage being put out by Toby Keith, or any number of slick but empty new artists clogging up the radio.

Ronnie & Kix have once again gave us another great album. This CD is mostly up tempo songs, Lots of party songs. Just what you want from Brooks & Dunn,,

Stand out songs for me are Cowgirls Don't Cry Johnny Cash Junkie. Cowboy Town and Tequila what a hoot this song is ..But oh so true,,

This is a first rate CD. Thank you Ronnie & Kix for more great music..

Brooks and Dunn is undoubtedly the best country duo to ever walk the face of the earth...they rank among the best all-time in all genres. But even the best come up short of their expectations, and this album is just one of a few flaws in their historic careers ("Tight Rope" and "If You See Her" were still their most disappointing albums). This latest collection kicks off with 2 very strong tracks in "Cowboy Town" and the current hit "Proud of the House We Built" but I feel these songs come up short when you compare them with something like "Red Dirt Road". Other rockin' cuts like "Tequila" and "Drop in the Bucket" fail to pack strong punches too. "God Must Be Busy" is a soulful cut that I really like especially for an album-ender but, forgive me for comparing again, it still pales in comparison to "Believe" - now that was a classic. Overall, it's a good album, but it won't be one of my favorite releases. Still, it was worth the purchase.

I listened to the entire "Cowboy Town" album and LOVED every song on there!!! Brooks & Dunn are great because they always pick great music to sing!!!

Kix Brooks was right, this album rocks, start to finish!

I strongly encourage readers to go buy the Wal-Mart version with the three bonus tracks. One of the bonus tracks, "Damn Right I'm Gonna Miss You," is reminiscient of B&D's "Red Dirt Road" and Pat Green's "Way Back Texas." The song is absolutely my favorite on the album and will make a great single if released. I was surprised to learn the track was originally cut by Terri Clark.

Cowboy Town has some great songs and some not-so-great songs and includes a whloe lot of drinking songs, but is a great listen overall. Enjoy!