Artist: Keith Urban

Title: Get Closer

Label: Capitol

For better or worse, there's a certain angst that often leads to great art, which is probably why break-ups are usually better fodder for pop songs than even the happiest of marriages.                

And when it comes to songwriting, Keith Urban has definitely been on both sides of the proverbial fence. Before he met his wife, actress Nicole Kidman, there was always an underlying sense of sadness and heartache in his lyrics, and thanks to that I've-been-there sensibility, not to mention those monster hooks, he quickly gained a slew of devoted fans.

While he's not exactly short on admirers these days, there's definitely been a marked shift in what he sings about— and how he sings about it—and the past couple of albums have offered little more than sugary sweet valentines to his better half.

Now don't get me wrong, in age where divorce is prevalent, especially among celebrities, there's absolutely nothing wrong with celebrating a healthy marriage. In fact, it should be applauded—and often. That is, if it's done right.

Unfortunately, many of the songs on Get Closer follow in the footsteps of 2008's Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing and last year's Defying Gravity by employing a clichéd Hallmark card sentimentality that doesn't deliver any new insight on the well-worn subject.

While everybody certainly has their own way of channeling his/her inner Lord Byron, Urban's love of sweeping, grandiose statements like "I don't know where I'd be without you," and "I'm just lying here thinking ‘bout you" grow a little tired over eight tracks when there's nothing else going on topically speaking.

But even when the ooey-gooey sentiments of "Put You in a Song," "Georgia's Woods" and "Without You" grow tired, the accompanying soundtrack actually sounds rather inspired. While Urban has never been a country artist in the strictest sense, it's great hearing him pick up that banjo a little more often this time around. In fact, it's in the inventive musical arrangements where Urban shines the brightest, and perhaps on future efforts, those sweet, honeyed vocals will be singing the praises of other life experiences as well.

**This Review First Published 11/24/2010.