CD Reviews- Keith Urban- Defying Gravity

The Background:
Keith Urban's 2006 album, Love, Pain And The Whole Crazy Thing, was an extremely personal album chronicling a period of personal upheaval both good (his marriage to actress Nicole Kidman) and bad (just prior to the album's release, the singer entered rehab for unspecified addictions), and although it was a success by most commercial measures, it was the Australian country singer's first album not to produce a Number One single on the country charts. The follow-up, Defying Gravity- from the adoption of a more buoyant mindset in the title song, to the soaring giddiness of the singles "Sweet Thing" and "Kiss A Girl"- is a far less somber affair. Produced by Urban's usual musical partner Dann Huff and consisting mostly of songs written or co-written by Urban (a cover of Radney Foster's sly "I'm In" being the best of the exceptions), Defying Gravity is a summery, good-time album. Defying Gravity has already produced Urban's 10th #1 song, "Sweet Thing", his third #1 in a row ("You Look Good In My Shirt" and "Start A Band" with Brad Paisley). The CD's second single "Kiss A Girl," which Urban performed on the Academy of Country Music Awards earlier this Spring, has already cracked the Top 10 on both the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and Mediabase/Country Aircheck. "It's an incredible feeling to have a #1 record," said Urban. "But equally moving is knowing that this particular record, that comes from such a joyous, loving and hopeful place, is connecting with so many people."

The Review:
Defying Gravity is a great representation of Keith's married life, new life as a father and his evident life happiness. It’s a love-filled album with romantic titles like “Kiss A Girl,” “Sweet Thing,” “Only You Can Love Me This Way” and “Thank You.” Tracks like "Thank You” have an openness in the lyrics reflected in his contentment in his heart. Urban has always had a personal emotion tinge to his heart- some of his best work has come from the trials in his personal life- take “Stupid Girl” for instance. This album just so obviously comes from a happier and different place. That’s one small challenge I have with the album. Keith Urban plays it so upbeat Defying Gravity, it makes you long for some diversity in theme on the album. It’s the Martina McBride syndrome- each song of hers seems to be the same message as the one before. And while Urban isn’t nearly as narrow in topic as McBride, a little heartbreak would do this album good. The album is nearly perfect from an orchestration standpoint and Urban ranks right up there with Brad Paisley as one of the finest guitarist of the new millennium in country music. The riffs that are the basis of many of the songs- take “Sweet Thing” for instance- are catchy, cool and will do well on the FM dial. As he crosses the country doing his big tour this summer, the album is filled with many rocking guitar riffs that are perfect for the arenas. The album is good- there’s some really good tracks. But compared to the darker Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing three years ago, it’s critically not a match- albeit probably much more radio-friendly.

Sounds Like:
Steve Wariner With Brad Paisley’s Axe

Track Highlights (suggested iPod adds):

Sweet Thing
Hit The Ground Runnin’
Thank You
Kiss A Girl
If Ever I Could Love

The Verdict:

Three & A Half Stars Out Of Five