Joe Nichols, ''Real Things'' (Universal Records South)

Joe Nichols fans who may have felt his last album, ''III'' failed to follow up on the promise of his first two can rejoice in ''Real Things.'' Nichols is back to country tradition with the best album of his career and probably the best country album this year.

The singer-songwriter turns mostly singer on this CD - putting a pen on just one of the 13 tracks - but picks a selection of tunes that underscore his memorable baritone and give him words he delivers well.

The CD's first single, ''Another Side of You,'' is an excellent combination of vocal performance and largely acoustic accompaniments _ and still isn't the best song on the album.

''My Whiskey Years'' is Nichols at his vocal best in a country-bluesy tune, but as Nichols followers know, he tops out on the ballads. ''She's All Lady'' combines him, a steel, a fiddle and guitar in a traditional weepy sound. Other tracks, like the title song, add a dobro for some more country roots sounds that previous Nichols CDs have forsaken.

The words are memorable, the tunes are outstanding, the arrangements are top notch. But Nichols' interpretations put him in a league with the best in the business.

CHECK THIS OUT: Nichols takes a big break from his ballad-oriented album with ''Let's Get Drunk and Fight,'' a rocker about a guy who's gone cold sober and a girlfriend who's just gone cold. Listen to a fine backup vocal by Morgane Hayes. Who? A singer-songwriter whose songwriting includes Carrie Underwood's ''Don't Forget to Remember Me.''

By TOM GARDNER Associated Press Writer

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.