By MICHAEL McCALL For The Associated Press

As country music’s steely eyed tough guy with a tender heart, Gary Allan never has shied away from difficult subjects or emotional truths. On ‘’Living Hard,'’ he examines a man’s heart and motivations at an age where responsibilities become impossible to ignore.

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Moving away from old-school country rhythms toward a layered, adult-rock sound, Allan shifts his topics toward complex aspects of contemporary life. The love song ‘’We Touched the Sun'’ and an unapologetic look at serial monogamy, ‘’Like It’s a Bad Thing,'’ speak of a progressive relationship philosophy that would’ve been too liberal for country music’s old guard but which shows a gutsy honesty in these modern times.

With the tragic 2004 death of his wife Angela still resonating in his songs, Allan talks of an ever-present past in ‘’Yesterdays Rain,'’ yet focuses on moving forward in ‘’As Long As You’re Looking Back,'’ both of which feature dramatic mid-tempo arrangements that show off Allan’s dynamic, growling vocals.

He occasionally wisecracks about dangerous women, as in ‘’Wrecking Ball'’ and ‘’She’s So California,'’ but mostly this is mature music that shuns fun in search of a more intense listening experience.

CHECK OUT THIS TRACK: With a string arrangement that simmers and rocks, Allan’s ‘’Learning How to Bend'’ portrays a stubborn fellow trying to will himself to be more sensitive and flexible with his lover.