Comfortably into their second phase、 <i>Dog Days</i> continues the revitalization begun in 2003 with BR549's <i>Tangled in the Pines</i>. Prior to that album co-founder/vocalist Gary Bennett and longtime bassist Jay McDowell departed. Chuck Mead's confident writing (he wrote or cowrote nine of the set's eleven tunes) embraces honkytonk、 country weepers、 roadhouse rave-ups and gospel--the latter inclination is given glorious wings by guest singers the Jordanaires on "The Devil in Me." Throughout、 their sharp mix of acoustic and electric instruments makes for a rich and warm sound. One of the band's strengths is their ability to flow through contrasting styles、 making it all sound like their own、 resulting in a bracing full-album experience. <i>--David Greenberger</i>