By Emilia Benton
If you take one look at the title of country singer Keith Urban’s fourth album, Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing, it’s easy to relate it to the current headline-making aspects of his personal life- such as his recent wedding to actress Nicole Kidman and his current stint in rehab for alcohol abuse. Take one listen and you’ll see that his personal life did in fact influence his songwriting. Keep in mind, however, that those aren’t necessarily bad things.
The first single on the album is the romantic and catchy “Once in a Lifetime,” in which Urban sings, “I close my eyes and I see you standin’ right there/Sayin’ ‘I do’ and they’re throwin’ the rice in our hair,” is clearly an ode to his new wife. The majority of the album has a clear pop-rock element and consists of cheerful rockers like “Faster Car” and “I Told You So.” The rest of the album’s songs fit in the category of sweet and serious ballads. Sure to be hits are “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” which begins with an addictive acoustic guitar and slowly increases with instrumental textures, along with “Stupid Boy,” which tells of self-discovery and regret. Many of Urban’s tunes on this album showcase a clear, stand-by-your-woman theme, including “Won’t Let You Down,” “Shine,” and the infectious “Tu CompañÃa,” which is the Spanish translation of “your company.”
Country music fans can be assured that Urban’s country roots and famous guitar solos are still here, most notably on “Raise the Barn,”- a duet with Ronnie Dunn of country duo Brooks and Dunn- which was inspired by the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Fans will clearly recognize Urban’s familiar toe-tapping style when they hear its chorus: “We’ll be square dancin’, toe tappin’/We’ll be kickin’ up our heels to the Cotton Eyed Joe/Music and laughter/gonna raise the rafters/A little boot slidin’ across the floor/Do a little hand holdin’, hay rollin’/Strollin’ with your honey by your side/Dixie cups and paper plates/Fiddle tunes and Amazing Grace/Hallelujah gonna raise the barn tonight.”
The last song on Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing seems to be perfectly placed. “Got It Right This Time” tells of making it through the troubles that come with all lifetime-lasting relationships. “Used to the Pain” seems to share this theme when Urban advises, “Every step I take/ I get a little less afraid of givin’ into love/Believe me when I say it gets better every day/Once you get used to the pain.”
While Urban’s last two hit albums, 2002’s Golden Road and 2004’s Be Here, definitely contained the same country-rock element as Urban’s latest effort, and it has definitely become even more prominent on Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing. With each effort, it gets harder and harder to place Urban in one category of music, as this newest one perfectly blends the areas of country, pop and rock. Recently named Male Vocalist of the Year by the Country Music Association, Urban is certainly getting the message across that, despite personal obstacles, he’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
4 STARS
