George Strait photo by Vanessa Gavalya, courtesy of UMG Nashville.

The romantic "I Gotta Get to You" is a mid-tempo tune that would have fit, and stood out, on any of George’s classic albums. "That one reminds me of ‘Amarillo by Morning’ in how great George sounds when singing it," Brown notes. It was co-written by Jim Lauderdale, a longtime George favorite, with Jimmy Ritchey and Blaine Larsen. Lauderdale and Ritchey, along with co-writer Kendell Marvel, also contributed the title song, "TWANG," an adrenalized honky-tonker George fills with mischievous joy.

In other words, TWANG doesn’t rest on any laurels, even though George stands as one of the most honored and record-setting artists in country music history. His 38th album comes during a year when the accolades continue to pile up for the legendary Texan. He won a 2009 Grammy Award for Best Country Album for Troubadour, and in April, he became only the fifth artist ever named Artist of the Decade by the Academy of Country Music. He also headlined the kick-off event at the Dallas Cowboys new stadium, selling out the venue is less than an hour. The concert was hailed by the Dallas Morning News as "an extravaganza" that "showcased George at the pinnacle of his musical game."

Overall, George has sold more than 67 million albums and has achieved 57 No. 1 singles, the record for the most chart-topping hits by any artist in history. His 33 platinum and multi-platinum albums have earned him the most RIAA platinum certifications in country music and third in all genres behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley. George was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006, making him one of a few artists to receive such an honor while still actively producing top radio hits and selling out arenas and stadiums.

"George is having as much fun as ever making records," Brown says of his longtime recording collaborator. "You can hear it, too. I think this album shows more range than usual, yet everything he does comes so natural to him. I do think this is going to be one of those albums people hold up as one of his high-water moments."