KEITH URBAN
Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing
Producers: various
Capitol Nashville
Release Date: Nov. 7

"I don't have any aspirations to be a pop star or a rock artist." That's what Keith Urban recently told Billboard, and while it may be true, he could be either if he wanted to. The proof is in this CD, which rocks harder and is more diverse than its three predecessors. Few artists have the vision to see that country music isn't simply defined by fiddles and steel guitar (although this album has both), and even fewer have the talent to fulfill that vision. Urban does. Whether it's one of the 10 songs he wrote or the one he didn't (the Billy Nicholls-penned "I Can't Stop Loving You," previously a hit for Leo Sayer and Phil Collins), Urban sells every song with passion. It's fitting that he closes this varied set with "Got It Right This Time." Indeed. -- Ken Tucker