illy Currington’s always struck me as a kind of country music Ken doll, pretty to look at (and is he ever: those eyes! That carefully tousled hair! And Lord have mercy, those abs!) but without much underneath. His appearance on Shania Twain’s late-2004 single “Party for Two,” while perfect, didn’t do anything to change my mind. I mean, does it really take much depth to enjoy “a little bit of party” [sic] with country’s Canadian commercial queen?

Turns out, though, that I was wrong; there’s more to Currington than you probably think. First of all, he’s an opportunist of the highest order, which is (I’d expect) precisely why he duetted with Shania. “Party for Two” wasn’t a massive hit, but it did wonders for Currington’s profile. Even though he had two top 5 country singles from his 2003 eponymous debut, few could’ve told you who he was. That’s no longer the case - in spades.

The video for Doin’ Somethin’ Right’s first single, “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right,” hit CMT’s airwaves nearly 6 months ago, and nearly combusted the entire channel from its first airing. The single is a sexy enough soft-rock-kinda-country record, but its video is a kind of G-rated “Wicked Game,” with Currington and a female companion frolicking (G-ratedly) on a beach, the singer exposing plenty of his aforementioned abs along with his affable, boy-next-door charm. Currington’s a smart one; he understands that this will sell records—and it is. In three short months, this album’s already been RIAA-certified gold (for sales of 500,000 U.S. copies).

Those desperate housewives (and others) buying it are in for a treat, however, as this is one of the best purely Nashville pieces of product in months. Currington’s a solid vocalist capable of a sexy growl when he needs to utilize it (think Dierks Bentley) who can be as country as he wants to be when it suits him. His version of Kenny Rogers’ “Lucille,” amazingly, out-countries the original (and remember, that song dates to 1977, years before Rogers crossed the great country-pop divide). It follows “She’s Got A Way with Me,” a nicely soulful song co-written with and featuring backing vocals from no less than Michael McDonald. “Whole Lot More” is an almost rowdy country rocker—sure, it’s got a coat of Nashville gloss, but you won’t mind it, and it’s actually the better for it (coming from an artist as not-quite-sincere as Currington, something much rootsier would just come off as a bald-faced lie).

Currington harkens to a legion of male country voices circa 10-12 years ago, from Chad Brock to John Michael Montgomery. He’s a solid talent, and I’d be happy if he’s able to make a career out of this, but honestly won’t miss him if he’s not. In the meantime, however, I’ll enjoy the purely pop(ulist) pleasures of Doin’ Somethin’ Right, an album which knows exactly what it’s doing and does it, well, right.