That’s Why by Craig Morgan

Craig Morgan sure is a happy guy—at least, that’s what his latest album tells us again and again. That’s Why is stocked wall-to-wall with tributes to the wonders of womankind (“It Took a Woman,” “Planet Her”), family life (“Lookin’ Back With You,” “That’s Why”) and both (“God Must Really Love Me”). The relentless joy is interrupted by examples of two played-out modern country standbys, the fun-on-the-beach song (“Summer Sundown”) and country-living-rules song (“Sticks”). The saving grace of That’s Why is Craig himself, whose earnest delivery and authentic passion make these clichés sound fresh again.