But Paisley's eighth album, American Saturday Night(* * * 1/2 out of four), is the first to feel like a full set of songs instead of some radio hits, guitar instrumentals, gospel songs and comedy bits crammed together.

Paisley still offers plenty of fretboard-shredding guitar solos and chuckle-inducing lyrics ("Gonna catch all the fish, gonna drink all the beer," he promises in an irresistible number), but he also exhibits new maturity as a songwriter. Once he felt compelled to shoot wisecracks like well-timed spitwads into otherwise serious lyrics. Now, songs such as Then and Oh Yeah, You're Gone (written with his guitar hero Robben Ford) show he can sing about emotions without jamming his tongue into his cheek.

Paisley's true strength is his ability to marvel at everyday things — pop culture (American Saturday Night), technology (Welcome to the Future), fatherhood (Anything Like Me) or the many uses of water (Water) — and to make others share his fascination. Throw in a handful of extraordinary guitar licks, and there's a lot worth marveling over. — Brian Mansfield

Download: Then, Catch All the Fish, Welcome to the Future
Skip: She's Her Own Woman

OTHER NOTABLE RELEASES:

Wilco, Wilco (The Album)
* * * * TWEEDY (THE ALCHEMIST)

OTHER NOTABLE RELEASES:

Wilco, Wilco (The Album)
* * * * TWEEDY (THE ALCHEMIST)

Imagine a John Lennon solo album with George Harrison sitting in and George Martin and Steve Lillywhite co-producing, and you'll understand what Jeff Tweedy and band achieve here. His melodies are sometimes soaring, sometimes fragile, always effortless. The lyrics are tender, bittersweet, resigned and questioning, and punctuated by deft studio touches. One Wing is the heartbreak song of the year. — Jerry Shriver

Download:One Wing, Bull Black Nova, You Never Know, I'll Fight
Consider:Country Disappeared

Rob Thomas, Cradlesong
* * * ROCK THIS CRADLE

The Matchbox Twenty frontman's follow-up to 2005 solo debut Something to Be doesn't break new ground, but replowing sumptuous grooves and smartly crafted hooks isn't the worst idea for this songwriter. With regular Matchbox producer Matt Serletic at the helm, Thomas concocts catchy, melodic Pettyesque tunes with flourishes of calypso, gospel and African rhythms. — Edna Gundersen

Download:Her Diamonds, Fire on the Mountain, Real World '09, Give Me the Meltdown
;Skip: Still Ain't Over You