Big & Rich, Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace (Warner Bros.)The loud-and-outrageous duo that enlivened country music by bringing in what they called "the freak parade" still stomp-and-scream a bit on their third album. But this time out, Big & Rich tilt towards grace and a more mature, mainstream sound.Kenny (Big) Alphin continues to preach a party-positive message, and John Rich continues to lay hard-rock guitar chords behind his cowboy philosophising.

But Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace tones down the rock and emphasises the duos harmonies, melodies and love songs.

The duo gamble by opening the album with six-straight ballads and mid-tempo tunes, including a wedding song, Lost in this Moment, and a love letter, Eternity, the latter featuring R&B singer John Legend.

The best of the slower songs — When the Devil Gets the Best of Me and Faster than Angels Fly — portray individuals caught between impulsive recklessness and spiritual reckoning.

Shifting to the six rocking songs that finish the album, Alphin announces, "Side B!" But the up-tempo tunes also suggest a mellower Big & Rich.

You Never Stop Loving Somebody and High Five are tempered by thoughtful messages about life and love, and Please Man, a police-baiting duet with Wyclef Jean, is set to a mild-mannered island rhythm.

The good news is that, even taking it easy, Big & Rich still push country music into new, interesting territory.

For evidence of the duo' new attitude, hear how they turn AC/DCs frat-rock anthem, You Shook Me All Night Long, into an acoustic hoedown that shows off their sweetly gruff harmonies.