Deana Carter returns with down-home sweetness, but goes commercial with “I’m Just a Girl.”

The country singer who hit it big with “Did I Shave My Legs for This?” in 1998 has faltered in the last few years, including suffering a DUI conviction, but this album is filled with more than a few upbeat ballads and gentle, wistful tunes.

“I’m Just a Girl” opens with a generic American apple pie song that includes the chorus line, “I’m a Chevy Girl.” And true enough, this song would fit perfectly in a commercial for Chevy pickup trucks. Somehow, this seems calculated, especially when she also mentions Pontiac and Corvette later in the song. “Me and the Radio” mentions Mustangs in the chorus as well. At least she isn’t plugging only one make of vehicle.

Commercialism also is evident in the album’s cover, which is styled after the cover of a magazine. Her reason for this choice of artwork is unclear. The album is far too earnest for this to be irony, but the magazine cover artwork lacks warmth.

Carter has a pleasant, dry voice that suits these 17 songs well. She doesn’t aim high and she doesn’t need to do so. The production is more than excellent. The tracks melt into each other like honey. Carter takes the middle road of country music. She makes neither true pop ditties nor country roots knee-slappers. However, some of her songs contain only a hint of country.

The best song may be “You and Tequila,” a slow, smoldering tune that contains the lines “When it comes to you, oh the damage I could do/ It’s always your favorite sins that do you in.”

Carter wrote or co-wrote and produced or co-produced every song on “I’m Just a Girl,” noteworthy in the age of pre-packaged radio hits.

Despite, or perhaps because of, Carter’s efforts, most of these songs merely are ordinary. Many would be at home in light rock, easy listening or modern country radio playlists.

Because Carter is well into her 30s, she has the right to call herself a woman. Why she chooses to call herself a girl is quite the mystery.

Carter makes one foray into rock with “Girl’s Night,” which I almost liked, but in it she talks about pouring Miller Lite beer.

Product placement soils a decent, if not spectacular album with “I’m Just a Girl.”