Well, if it takes attending a live concert to really feel Tim McGraw’s profound artistry, then so be it.

If only Tim McGraw’s recorded sound were as thrilling as the material he sings. For some reason, the quality of his performances on his new album, Standing Room Only, simply do not match the sublime songs. There’s a perfected, synthetic gloss to his vocals, when the top notch songs deserve a living, breathing delivery. Tim, if you’re reading this, take a cue from the greats (Willie Nelson or George Strait, for example) and trust that it is you we want to hear… You are the one who has earned every right to sound human. Fire whoever has pulverized your earnest, yearning, riveting instrument into studio-processed fine, white sand. You are poised to enter a new phase of your remarkable career, so rediscover yourself as the artist you are still becoming.

That’s not to say that if you are a Tim McGraw fan you’ll be disappointed in any way whatsoever. This is another one of those dependable—in the best way possible—Tim McGraw albums. There is a long line of fantastic, vulnerable, recordings from Mr. McGraw, and it’s exciting to know that he is still making future classic albums. Blame me for expecting perfect imperfection from a nearly flawless artist.

Still, there’s mostly good news to share about Standing Room Only. McGraw is still one of the best storytellers in Nashville (or L.A. for that matter) The songs he shares are from the heart, and miles above the quality of most of the pointless songs calling themselves country these days. Here’s one of the best, in an acoustic performance: