Keith Urban Album: “Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing [German Import]”

This highly anticipated release by country music's innovator, Keith Urban takes this artist's previous country rock blend and pushes the envelope of the genre even further. This album is the next step blending country, rock and Beatlesque pop in one gorgeous aural tapestry of music that proves country singers can have not only heart but soul. At first listen to the first single, Once in a Lifetime, this CD would seem to reflect the joy of love but underneath there is also the current of pain and regret that proves that nothing in life is perfect and that love can both lift you up and break your heart.

Highlights are Shine, the amazingly fun and funky Faster Car, the aching regret of Stupid Boy,the gorgeous Won't Let You Down and the joyous hoedown of Raise the Barn which is a valentine to the American south in need from an Australian boy who has made Nashville his home. There is not a disappointing track on here. Even God Made Woman with its Stones Can't Always Get What You Want like choral opening is a bit of over the top fun.

This CD is one that should appeal to music lovers and is sure to open up a new audience for Keith's music while keeping him in the forefront of country music as a true innovator and artist.

I only began listening to Keith Urban in late 2004 (so I am a relative newbie) when he released the amazing "Be There", which was apparently the CD that took Urban into the stratosphere of success. It's not hard to see why as that release, as well as this one have sold have. They both really grab you into the songs and don't let you go. If I had to try to explain to someone who never heard this artist why I love Keith's music is that it is intimate, sweeping, catchy, loud and while very much rooted in country it is not a slave to the genre. From an Australian? I keep seeing stereotypes tumbling down...

While most reviews for this release have been very positive, I can understand why some, especially long term fans, don't like the direction that Keith's music has taken as he has stepped away from what could be considered the center of country music. Artists as diverse as Wynnona, Faith Hill, k.d. Lang, and possibly the granddaddy of all, Garth Brooks, (just to name a few) have suffered the wrath of some fans for what they see as selling out by becoming more mainstream. What some may not take into account is that most music is a patchwork of sorts that is influenced by music from all over the world and from different genres within each culture. For example, there is no denying that from the very beginning, The Eagles, Jackson Browne and Linda Ronstadt where as rooted in country as in rock. Listen to "Take It Easy" if you have any doubts.

I don't see this release as anything but something from a really successful artist who is following his own bliss. If you happen to like more traditional country music, nothing here will satisfy that need. Urban's voice does all sorts of things during the release, at times reminding me of Glenn Frye of The Eagles, Kenny Loggins and even the lead singer from the 80's band Toto. This is a complement as it's not derivative.

There is a little of everything here. Some of the most touching songs include "Shine", "I Can's Stop Loving You" (what a song!!!!) and "Stupid". There are some killer guitar-driven songs ("Faster Car") and some funked out songs that sound entirely like a new genre. "Tu Compania" is an example of two-stepping funk that ends with some sexy female voices as the end that not only make it sound fresh, but also timely. "God Made Woman" starts out with a choir sound not too dissimilar to the Rolling Stones' "You Can't Get What You Want", but then steers in a totally different direction. There is even some baroque sounds to give the ear a good workout.

I could go on, but you get the point: I like this CD a lot. If you liked "Be Here", you may love this CD as it takes what was great about it and mixes it up with sounds that just make you want to listen to each song over and over again. But again, if you don't like your country music to steer away from convention, this release it not for you. I hope that this last part does not offend as I love traditional country music too, but let's not penalize Urban for being who he is or as someone who has abandoned those who first supported him or married a movie star. We all have to follow our own paths, even if they don't lead to places where those who raised us would want that to be. Cheesy comment on my part? Sure, but I hope the point comes across. Enjoy!

I am a 40 year old male who is a huge Keith Urban Fan. But, I am not a huge country music fan. I have seen many groups at the peak of their career such as Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, Ozzy and many other rock groups. I have seen Urban twice the last being Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing tour in Atlanta. This was the best concert that I have ever seen. The thing that separates Urban from everyone else is that he is not just a performer but an artist. I promise you that at this moment he is the most talented artist in any genre. And by the way, this is his best record.

This album became available here in the Philippines 2 days before it's advertised release date which I found kind of odd. I guess one of the many good things to come out of his marriage with the ever gorgeous Nicole is his albums are now more accessible outside the US. Only problem with the international releases are they tend to take out the most country sounding song in the album (in this case, they ommitted RAISE THE BARN! ARGH!!!)

Anyway, on to my review. If I had given this album a review after the first time I listened to it in full length, I probably would have given it a 4 rating. On the first try, the tracks did not really catch on with me as easily as the songs in BE HERE but after perhaps the third try, I began to appreciate them...now I love them!

In my view, this album is stronger, song for song, than it's predecessor. Obviously, the themes are LOVE(Shine, Got It Right This Time, and I Can't stop Loving You are absolute jewels!), PAIN(Used To The Pain and Stupid Boy) and the WHOLE CRAZY THING (Tu Compania)! Ok...throw in the song Everybody which he co-wrote with Richard Marx and you have everything you need in what will make as an enjoyable and relaxing record.

The 12-track international version has a 55minute playing time with most songs running between 4.5 to 5.5 minutes...on the first 4 tracks, especially, Urban shows off his, well, showmanship in adding very good guitar solos that would definitely impress in a live show (not all would have been necessary in a studio album).

In any case, though the country sounds of the past diminish as every new Urban album comes out, this one is guaranteed to sell and sell BIG! Go out and get your copies...enjoy!

Okay, my boyfriend takes me to see Kenny Chesney. I'm more a rock fan. I hated it. Then the next week he took me to see Keith Urban. 2 1/2 hours of pure pleasure. This man is amazing. I was glad he had a 'rock' beat in one or two songs. And was especially amazed when he brought a whole marching band on the stage for one song. Anyway, I've since bought the album and can't stop playing it. His skills on guitars is out of this world. My brother plays professional guitar and said he's never heard anything like Keith. His voice is beautiful (talks like me....lol) and his variety of songs differ each time. Personally I think he's singing about Tom Cruise (Stupid Boy). He's just a talented, creative performer in my opinion.

Please get his CD and you'll see for himself. He has a new one coming out too with his greatest hits.