Emotional Traffic (2012) The Nashville star's latest — his first since playing the onscreen husband of Gwyneth Paltrow in Country Strong — opens with what sounds like a… Tim McGraw Country Curb
Music Review

Emotional Traffic (2012)

Tim McGraw
Reviewed by Mikael Wood | Jan 27, 2012
SOUTHERN TUNES Although a few tracks deviate from his usual styling, McGraw still delivers a solid country effort
SOUTHERN TUNES Although a few tracks deviate from his usual styling, McGraw still delivers a solid country effort
EW's GRADE
B

Details Release Date: Jan 24, 2012; Lead Performance: Tim McGraw; Genre: Country; Production: Curb

The Nashville star's latest — his first since playing the onscreen husband of Gwyneth Paltrow in Country Strong — opens with what sounds like a (slightly) twangy outtake by Paltrow's real-life mate, Coldplay's Chris Martin. ''Halo'' isn't Emotional Traffic's only detour, either: ''Right Back Atcha Babe'' rides a breezy soul-pop groove, while the stirring ''Only Human'' features guest vocals by Ne-Yo. Should country purists fret? Nah. ''Touchdown Jesus'' lives up to its down-home promise.

Best Tracks:
Wry One Part, Two Part
Uptempo Hey Now
Originally posted Jan 18, 2012 Published in issue #1191 Jan 27, 2012 Order article reprints