CD Review: Keith Urban – “Defying Gravity”

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CD Review

This review was originally written by Jose Bernardo for www.theweeklyriff.com between 2008 and 2010.

These were Jose’s first impressions of the songs and were not written after multiple spins.

Artist : Keith Urban
Album : Defying Gravity (2009 Capitol Nashville)
Tracks : 11

Artist website : http://www.keithurban.net/

OVERVIEW

This is country superstar Keith Urban’s fifth studio album. I’m not at all familiar with Urban’s previous work as I sit down to listen to this album. It turns out that he’s an incredible guitar player and has been making music for a long time. In Nashville fashion, the musicianship is very good. However, I felt that some of the album was forced or penned very craftily.

On the whole, it’s a nice album, but it wouldn’t be on my “go to” record list.

HIGHLIGHTS : 

Kiss A Girl, Hit The Ground Running, Standing Right In Front Of You

PLAY BY PLAY

Track 1 – Kiss A Girl
Cute track. It sits well as a pop track and modern country track. The chorus is catchy. Good opening track. 

Track 2 – If Ever I Could Love
This has a balladesque feel to it but it isn’t that slow. I couldn’t really connect to this track, it had a bit too much going on. At times it felt like there were world music influences, then it was modern country. A ballad to start with then a straight ahead pop song.

Track 3 – Sweet Thing
Modern country. I don’t know why I didn’t connect with this song either. It has the makings of doing well on radio though. 

Track 4 – Til Summer Comes Around
This one sounds like a modern pop ballad and not so much Nashville. This bored me. 

Track 5 –  My Heart Is Open
This one’s a mid tempo track. Has ballad like qualities. Didn’t dig it. Very formulaic.

Track 6 – Hit The Ground Running 
Mixing up the old country and modern country in an up tempo track with a rock feel. Great energy and groove! 

Track 7 – Only You Can Love Me This Way
A cross-over ballad. Adult contemporary, modern pop, modern country. It fits in the album. Nice vocals and melody. I just didn’t dig this particular offering of this style. 

Track 8 – Standing Right In Front Of You
Nice track. I liked the chorus a lot. Nice arrangement. 

Track 9 – Why’s It Feel So Long
Cute song. Really repetitive in an annoying way. I bet this will be the one track that will get stuck in my head from listening to this album. 

Track 10 – I’m In
Generic, but not bad. 

Track 11 – Thank You
This track is obviously personal; however, I found it to be weak and boring. 

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Posted in CD Reviews, The Weekly Riff (2008-2010) Reprinted.