Jason’s third album is unfailingly listenable—he’s an appealing singer, his band plays with verve and the production is crisp and full.

But contrary to the no-holds-barred suggestion of the title, Wide Open is altogether too careful and cautious. Pretty much every topic you’d expect a modern radio-friendly country album to touch on is here: tributes to country living, dreamers looking to hit the road in search of fame and fortune, gushing odes to the glories of womankind, all in a mix of loud rockers and tender ballads that hums right along easily.

It ain’t bad, but it ain’t runnin’ wide open.