When Toby Keith, the man behind macho, blind-patriotism anthems like "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)," came out with a new album, I'm not sure what I expected. I guess it was something tough.

A lot tougher than a song called "Hell No" that ended up being about forgetting his wife's anniversary, that's for sure.

Tame is the word for Keith's new effort, White Trash with Money.

The album rarely leaves the realm of mid-tempo, and the occasional country rockers are hampered by the weak, glossy production.

Topically, the album focuses on everyday subjects: Having a good time at the bar, super-sized meals and Wal-Mart.

Forgotten birthdays and anniversaries come up on three songs, making me wonder if this is a bizarre concept album about Keith being a lousy husband.

Maybe it's better Keith keeps to the simple stuff, though, as he lacks fire when he takes on bigger subjects. "Ain't No Right Way" features clumsy lines like "And if God blessed America/How could someone vote/To take prayer from our classrooms?" But politics aside, the song is musically indistinguishable from the rest of the album's mushy ballads.

On the other hand, Toby's got a sense of humor. The double-date horror story of "Runnin' Block" laments, "I tried to drink her skinny, but she's still about 215/Sometimes you got to bow up and take one for the team."

Other highlights of the album include the opening songs. Horn-driven "Get Drunk and Be Somebody" is the album's best upbeat number, and "A Little Too Late" features a surprisingly disco-sounding string section.

Keith might want to have more fun with his next album. He's not much of a sensitive songwriter, and the bland love songs drag.

The songs are not bad, just boring.

Here's hoping he remembers his wife's birthday this year and doesn't have to spend half his next album making up for it.

Grade: C-

-- Reviewed by Dustin Pangonis