Brad Paisley, having been raised on traditional country music, is one of a handful of contemporary stars who could title an album This Is Country Music (with all that the title implies) without raising more than a few eyebrows.

“Old Alabama” name-checks the much-loved country group from the 1980s while incorporating that band’s hit “Mountain Music.” The male-female duet that was heavily favored in the ’60s and ’70s (and handled primarily by duos or groups in recent years) is covered with the romantic duet “Remind Me,” featuring Carrie Underwood.

While Brad has relied too heavily at times on his spot-on comedic instincts, it is refreshing that songs such as “Working on a Tan” and “Don’t Drink the Water” provide a humorous equilibrium for weightier gems such as “Love Her Like She’s Leavin’” (featuring Don Henley) and “A Man Don’t Have to Die” without being relentlessly clever.

Marty Stuart, Sheryl Crow and Carl Jackson assist on the spiritual, “Life’s Railway to Heaven,” while Clint Eastwood and Brad’s sons, Huck and Jasper, guest on the otherwise instrumental track “Eastwood.”