Ricky Lynn Gregg sticks with slick country rock on his third effort — not that that’s a bad thing. Of all the artists pursuing that particular modern radio sound, Gregg is one of the most palatable. Even the most die-hard traditionalist could appreciate Gregg’s consumately professional approach to the music. He makes pristinely executed and pretty country that tips a hat to both Garth Brooks and Merle Haggard. His clear tenor voice — a bit like James Taylor with a southern twang — matches well with the clean production making the most of his delivery allowing each song’s storyline to take front and center. Filled with reliably countrified themes such as love, loss, and how a female can fill out a nice pair of “Jeans,” Gregg even gets the boots a’scootin’ on the up-tempo “Can’t Do a Thing About You.” Featuring some fine fiddle, steel guitar, and dobro work, Careful What You Wish For is a nice, if somewhat bland, contemporary country release. – Matt Collar
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