Like Urban's previous album, Golden Road, which produced three No. 1 hits, this set of 13 commercial tracks is full of eminently listenable, contagious songs. From the vaguely rueful "Nobody Drinks Alone" to Elton John's "Country Comfort" to the celebratory "These Are the Days," the album is full of well-turned melodies featuring coproducer Dan Huff on mandolin and guitar, and Tim Akers, who fills in the dull moments on keyboards. Urban plays a lot of guitar as well as sings with disarming passion and sincerity.
Urban's devoted fan base will readily forgive him for his occasional mistakes: About the only one worth mentioning is the inflated string section (13 violins, 6 cellos) on the already lachrymose "Tonight I Wanna Cry."
•DOWNLOAD THIS: "Nobody Drinks Alone"
