Rascal doesn't fall flat

Lucky for Rascal Flatts fans, this time around is a whole lot like the last four times: a consistently solid showing of country crooning and powerful vocals, now with the veteran group's fifth album Still Feels Good.

Most tracks follow in typical Rascal Flatts fashion: Upbeat-pop-country tracks with melodies belted by lead singer Gary LeVox, upbeat tunes that find even more ways than before to incorporate piano and driving drumbeats and power ballads with serious subject matters. One of those, "It's Not Supposed to Go Like That" tells two sad stories -- one about a child accidentally shooting another boy and another about drunk driving -- the group's typical sad-song reminder it seems to place on every album.

Rascal Flatts demonstrates its typical yet amazing ability to sing country music without conventional country twang, yet the band is still able to write intense and meaningful lyrics. The group continually displays its driving drumbeats and energy not seen in most country acts. More impressive yet are the strong harmonies that exist on nearly every track -- and not one is disappointing.

"Bob that Head" -- the third (and most ridiculous) track on the album -- starts out with a hard country rock feel, making it the album's most musically pleasing song. But with the lyrics "Bob that head every Friday night" as the main chorus, it's hard to listen to the song without feeling silly. It's as if they threw meaningful lyrics right out the window, leaving you thinking: Couldn't they come up with something just a little better?

Top tracks include the single "Take Me There" and "Every Day." My personal favorite is "Secret Smile," an upbeat positive song with colorful lyrics, including, "You touch the rain and suddenly there's waterfalls / Now every day is something more worth fighting for." Dramatic lyrics and passionate love songs also abound on the album: "This could be the last time I look in your eyes" and "Have you ever had to love someone that just don't feel the same" are examples of the dramatic subject matter that appears throughout.

Since this album doesn't necessarily top the others, the group ought to try doing something a little different than expected for their sixth album. It's clear, however, that giving the fans what they expect is working out well. One thing this trio seems to prove time and time again: Belting out those country tunes still feels good.