Keith Urban - Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing
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Free Music Notes for Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing
Free Music Review: Gets better and better everytime you hear it! Another home-run for Urban!
Hit: 5 Stars
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!
Free Music Review: The evolution of an Aussie superstar
Hit: 5 Stars
Before giving you my view of the album, allow me to give you some insight on Keith as a musician and a person. As many know, Keith had a hard fight with substance abuse (as is told in his first album, "Golden Road"). He's had his share of heartache, which has given him wisdom and a clearer view of the reality of life. He is in touch with his feelings and emotions, and his music reveals that. His songs are simply brimming with descriptive and realistic feelings that draw the listener in. He offers a wide range of subjects in his songs: from carefree bliss to heartbreak to the quiet assurance of love. His style has evolved from your typical new country to boarderline rock. His newest album, "Love, Pain, and the whole crazy thing" combines his relatable songwriting abilities and his ever-changing style to produce an album of extraordinary talent.
There are enough keepers on this album to make it worth buying, but as is the case with every album, there are some duds and fillers, but that's to be expected.
Keith's fairly high vocals add a passion and depth to his music that you ordinarily don't hear much of in male country artists. And his rockin' guitar solos are back for another round. Rejoice all Urban fans!
My top track are these:
Stupid Boy - the most emotional song of the album and it also won a Grammy. When Keith pleads, "God, just let her know I'm sorry," you can hear the pain in his voice. Also his best guitar solo of the album.
Once In a Lifetime - a sweet love song almost similar to "Better Life" but not as giddy. Keith's songwriting talent really shines through. This one will be stuck in your head for days.
Everybody - once again Keith is back with those words of encouragement. He employs his signature style of gradual crescendos in this one from acoustics to a blast of guitars, drums and vocals. "Everybody needs somebody sometimes."
I Told You So - the lyrics aren't very deep, but the music is irrestibly catchy. I love rockin' to this one. You'll love it too.
As to the matter of comparison, I think I enjoyed "Be Here" slightly more. It was more upbeat and had catchier tunes and Keith stayed pretty conservative in his vocals and arrangements, but "LP+wct" is definetely worth getting.
Free Music Review: Perhaps Urban's best work to date
Hit: 5 Stars
It's sometimes hard to take Keith Urban seriously as an artist. After all, songs such as "Once in a Lifetime" were written specifically to be radio hits. It's unfortunate that only his lesser material (for the most part) gets radio airplay, because looking at his albums overall, one gets the sense that Urban truly knows how to craft a fine piece of music.
LOVE, PAIN, & THE WHOLE CRAZY THING is a great record, and let me tell you why. Sure, it has its ready-for-radio tunes, but we'll look beyond that. What we're looking at, specifically, is Urban's musicianship: what other chart-toppers today can boast that they play guitar, bass, ganjo, piano, and various other odds-n-ends on their records? Not many. What other artist today can write an instant chart-topper, alongside tunes that require a bit more thought-processing? Not many. What other artist today can amass such a following, and yet still feel compelled to prove himself time and time again? Urban could sit back on his heels and enjoy the success he's gained...yet, as the non-standard production of "Got It Right This Time" shows, he's still experimenting with what he can do. Listen to the bass line of "Faster Car" (played by Urban), and not feel that Urban has something else to say. Listen to the drum/guitar solo of "I Told You So" and not feel like you're in the midst of a revolutionary rock record.
So maybe Keith Urban isn't "revolutionary." But he's definitely pushing the bar. He is a super-talented singer/songwriter, who hasn't let his success limit him. LOVE, PAIN & AND THE WHOLE CRAZY THING is a great pop/country/rock record, with more emphasis upon the latter two. The songs are by and large standouts, and the musicianship is stellar. Urban has another winner on his hands here; don't miss this one.
Free Music Review: Incredibly heartfelt
Hit: 5 Stars
Keith Urban has said that his albums are an "emotional landscape" of where he is at the time of making the album. He has said that this album is honest and accurate. It's obvious in his latest offering that he's a man in love. His writing has grown considerably. His guitar playing is out of the world. (not enough guitar? Somebody obviously wasn't listening very carefully) I love that he's stretching himself musically and playing different instruments on this album. He says he "dabbles" at piano playing. He's a pretty good dabbler! Keith isn't one to play it safe and isn't afraid to try new things. So many of the other offerings out of Nashville sound the same. You can't say that about this CD. The first time I heard "Faster Car" "Tu Compania" "God Made Woman", I got this big ole grin on my face. "Raise the Barn" is a barn burner. You can't help but sing along with the Hallaluiahs! "Stupid Boy" is brilliant. "Got it Right this Time" was done in one take with no fixing or dubbing. Not many in Nashville, or anywhere for that matter, would have the guts to release a song without fixing any mistakes or cleaning up any vocals. "Can't Stop Loving You" and "Everybody" really showcase Keith's vocal ability.
This entire CD is just incredibly crafted. There is something on there for every musical taste. Is it traditional country? No, but Keith has never claimed to be a traditionalist. He is much too talented to be stuck in one musical genre. He is one of those rare artists who truly can do it all, whether it be country, rock or pop.
Keith always sings from the heart and this CD proves that beautifully.
Well done Keith. You should be very proud of this great CD.
Free Music Review: No Country Comfort here...not in my version anyway
Hit: 5 Stars
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!