Tools for this page
Print

Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing

What’s the Story?

Reviewed by Kathi Kamen Goldmark

Keith Urban isn't a man who takes a lot of musical risks, but he knows how to draw on a variety of pop influences to create one satisfying, comfortable contemporary country hit after another. In LOVE, PAIN & THE WHOLE CRAZY THING, cliché'd lines like "When the sun is hard to find/when it's rainin' in your eyes…when you just can't see the light/baby, I'll find a way to shine" ("Shine") get a fresh new life with Urban's raucous rock-influenced guitar solos over pounding drum tracks. The stellar vocal performance, intensity and drama of "I Can't Stop Loving You" almost make up for the schlock-quotient. "Stupid Boy" is a lovely ballad about regret, lost love, and missed chances.

Is It Any Good?

4

Predictable and comforting as the sunrise, Keith Urban's lyrics cover a lot of old territory with just enough vivid poetry to keep tedium at bay. Many songs are upbeat declarations of love, friendship, and fidelity. And to endear the artist to female fans of all ages, there's "God Made Woman" ("When God made woman he must've been proud/He must've been cryin' or laughin' out loud/It must have felt like the first time/Getting' kissed by the sun/When God made woman"). Calculated or not, Keith Urban knows how to put a catchy song together with taste and style, so that the whole is inevitably greater than the sum of its parts, and that is a talent all by itself.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
(It's free!)

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.