In Brief

** Paul Overstreet, “Heroes,” RCA. The writer behind some of Randy Travis’ best records certainly knows how to put a song together. He’s also part of a movement away from country’s overwhelming dependence on dysfunctional relationships. But in never veering from the sunny side of life, his righteousness becomes numbing. Life ain’t always a bowl of cherries--is it?

Albums are rated on a scale of one asterisk (poor) to five (a classic).