As a superstar who's revered by both the young country audience and traditionalists, Alan Jackson is at his finest when he's steers clear of trifles like "Chattahoochie" and takes those younger fans to school. Here he does just that by paying respects to Hank ("Midnight in Montgomery"), swearing allegiance to George Jones ("Don't Rock the Jukebox"), and calling out all those newcomers who've decided it's time to get twangy now that country's hot ("Gone Country"). All of it pales next to "Here in the Real World," however, as perfect a honky-tonk weeper as mainstream Nashville has produced in 30 years. --David Cantwell