LUKE BRYAN

What Makes You Country

Capitol Records Nashville

If Luke Bryan has faced criticism from some country purists that his anthems aren’t true to the music form’s roots, he’s got an answer for them.

The opening title song on his 15-track CD What Makes You Country offers a welcoming, big tent view of the genre that includes cowboys in Texas, hunters in Georgia and folks hauling bails or fishing or “covered in peanut dust.”

The message is clear — whether country is in your blood or you were converted by a song on the radio, don’t judge. “You do your kinda country/I do my kinda country,” he sings.

Bryan’s country is playful, inclusive, flirty and good-natured on the album. He’s still knocking back a few — Hungover in a Hotel Room, Drinking Again — but his optimism is undiluted by booze.

Few other people could sing the sappy Most People Are Good and get away with it.

The album sags somewhat in the middle — Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset, Bad Lovers and She’s a Hot One are a little weak — but Bryan roars back with the sweet and fatherly Pick It Up and the sexy rocker Driving This Thing.

Bryan gets a songwriting credit on seven of the songs — and they’re among the strongest. Call what he does whatever you like — modern-country, bro-country, arena-country or crossover-country — Bryan is not going to have trouble getting his calls returned.