While Toby Keith's recent cds have been his most successful sales-wise, in truth, many of the singles from his last couple of albums were starting to sound the same. Thankfully, Honkytonk University offers a return to the well constructed, melodic material that Keith was known for during his Mercury days and his first two DreamWorks albums (How Do You Like Me Now, Pull My Chain).

The leadoff single "Honkytonk U" is an autobiographical look at Keith's life in music placed in a southern rock setting, then Keith's attitude shines through on "As Good As I Once Was." Later, Keith's sarcastic wit makes a welcome appearance on the swing flavored "You Ain't Leavin' (Thank God Are Ya)." There's also more ballads found here than we have seen in awhile on a Keith release, with the sparse "You Caught Me At A Bad Time" and "Your Smile" both making a strong, poignant impression. Best of all is the harmonic heaven that Keith and Haggard create on "She Ain't Hooked On Me No More," an even more effective pairing than Keith's prior chart-topper with Willie Nelson.

Whether you've been a Toby Keith fan from the early "Shoulda Been A Cowboy" days, jumped on board on when his career moved into the stratosphere with "How Do You Like Me Now," and/or recently felt a bit disappointed by the lack of spark in his recent hits, you will find this album quite pleasing. It will probably garner some new converts as well.

This is the album I've been waiting for: Toby Keith returning to his traditional country roots. The traditional sound this album takes may be a surprise to fans who've just recently jumped aboard the Toby Keith bandwagon (and those who've been criticizing Keith these past few albums), but long-time fans will rejoice.

The songwriting on this album is, as always, up to par. In fact, these are some of Keith's best songs to date (most co-written with collaborater--and stellar singer/guitarist--Scotty Emerick). It's hard not to get lost in the Waylon-esque rhythms of "Honkytonk U." And you can't help but grin as Keith sings of giving in to his pride on "As Good As I Once Was" (Keith, too, has a big grin on his face as he sings these lines). "I Got It Bad" hails back to the days of Keith's best ballads. And "You Caught Me At A Bad Time" is one of the deepest, most moving songs he's ever written.

Okay, if I haven't gotten the point across yet, here it is: this is, by far, Toby Keith's best album to date. A lot of people say that; in fact, they say it about every album an artist releases. I don't. When I say this is the best album Toby Keith has made, trust me folks, it's the BEST ALBUM TOBY KEITH HAS MADE! This is traditional country music with grit--humor, heartbreak, drinking, love gone bad, hope, and twang. Lots of twang, steel, and lyrics that will strike straight to your soul...plus a duet with the Hag himself. HONKYTONK UNIVERSITY is one of the best albums that's come out lately, and it's a personal highlite for Toby Keith. Grab it...if you aren't already a Toby Keith fan, this one'll convert you, I guarantee it.

I am going back to school. , July 11, 2005

Reviewer: Audra & Misti "Crazy Ladies Bookshop" (Norman, Oklahoma!) - See all my reviews

If this is what they are teaching these days and Toby is the Dean... sign me up! I'm in and under and around and all over!

I love this album!

Toby takes these sayings/Euphemisms...

"Do blondes really have more fun or are they just easier to spot in the dark?" probably things his Daddy told him when he was growing up and turns them into great songs. And he just writes what he knows. That's what your supposed to do.

We have a lot of sayings in Oklahoma... a lot of euphoniums.... and its great to see Toby embracing that and using it.

Toby always pokes the bear. Always. But I get the feeling from this album that he wanted to romance us a bit. Meow!

Big Blue Note, She Left me and Just the guy to do it are wink, wink songs in traditional Toby humor following the greats like How do you like me now.

I Got It Bad, Your Smile, Where You Gonna Go You caught Me At A Bad Time tug at you... the notes he hits! Especially I Got it Bad.... that baritone just goes to climbing up and down and up and down....

Knock Yourself Out is probably the song I waited for on this album. It is the song for me. Like Whiskey girl... I just feel like he wrote it with me in mind.

Although... we all know that cannot be true.

Especially since I would not be here writing a review about the album if it were. I'd be deep into the OU hot tub.

But alas the only thing that Toby teamed up with on this album was Merle. And it was worth it. She Ain't hooked on me no more is great, its hard to tell which is Toby and which is Merle.

For me, Toby is still the best in the business.

I count the days anticipating the next album.

HTU was well, well worth the wait.

For a long time Toby Keith has enjoyed a reputation of being one of Country Music's "Bad Boys" or a slam-bam Country Rocker. Some of his earlier offerings such as "Who's Your Daddy," "How Do You Like Me Now?" and "Beer for My Horses" are indicative of this reputation.

But with HONKYTONK UNIVERSITY we see a whole new Toby. Yes there are the signature songs here like "Honky Tonk U" and, to a degree, "As Good As I Once Was." But then the album shines with several of the most beautiful, heartfelt Western ballads that I have ever heard. Keith offers a mature, mellow side with "Your Smile," "Where You Gonna Go?" and, my album favorite, "I Got It Bad." But then every track on this one will have you enjoying the sound and recognizing Toby Keith's versatility as one of the best Country Stars extant. This one's definitely a keeper.

THE HORSEMAN

I loved this CD. I could not wait to buy it...popped it into the cd player on the way home and smiled all the way home. The lyrics are great, his voice is great....2 thumbs up!!