Keith Urban

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Golden Road

In the Ranch

Be Here

A cold-blooded critic once observed of an Eddie Money album that it's probably unrealistic to expect art from a guy named Money. In which case, it's equally unrealistic to expect down-home country music from a guy named Urban. Sure enough, the Australian-born Urban's debut solo album combines canned fiddle 'n' steel licks with hip-hop-flavored drum loops. The rock edge that characterized his previous band, the Ranch, has been replaced by pretty-boy poses and puppy-love lyrics aimed straight at the young female demographic. Not coincidentally, two of the Dixie Chicks show up to sing backup on the Cajun-lite "I Wanna Be Your Man (Forever)." The only demonstration of Urban's guitar prowess is the by-the-numbers instrumental "Rollercoaster." A couple of the better songs hint at darker moods and adult emotions that might be closer to the real Keith Urban. But too often he comes across as another latter-day Urban Cowboy who has simply traded in the shiny boots and Stetson for bare feet and an earring. --Rick Mitchell