Defying Gravity
by Keith Urban
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Mar 31, 2009
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. AllMusic
    80
    Defying Gravity builds on the skill set that gave listeners "Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing" and takes it further, seamlessly combining hook-laden crafty songwriting with a pop sensibility in the modern country vernacular that blazes a new trail and underscores Duke Ellington's dictum that there are only two kinds of music: good and bad. This is a shining case in point for the former.
  2. Billboard
    80
    Urban hardly rests on his laurels on Defying Gravity, trying some interesting new directions.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Good thing Urban has a gift for making radio-baiting hooks and production feel enthusiastically fresh, whether he's cribbing an intro from the New Radicals' 'You Get What You Give' on 'Standing Right in Front of You,' borrowing Kenny Chesney's beachcomber vibe for 'Why's It Feel So Long,' or ripping himself off left and right with just about everything else.
  5. Hartford Courant
    70
    Keith Urban's music and the themes that fill it rarely stray from predictable territory, but his pop-friendly country constructs are fueled by outsized charisma that keep them consistently above the pack.
  6. PopMatters
    70
    The album, co-produced by Urban and Dann Huff, has a smooth, lush sound that fits the material like a well-tailored suit.
  7. Rolling Stone
    40
    Keith Urban plays it so safe on Defying Gravity, you'd think he got a musical lobotomy when he went to rehab.
  8. Slant Magazine
    50
    So much of the album feels so deliberately tasteful and conservative. Defying Gravity barely gets off the ground.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 19
  3. Negative: 2 out of 19
  1. barryg
    May 11, 2009
    9
    rolling stone also never gave led zeppelin any good reviews either we know how that turned out.The album has something for everyone well done rolling stone also never gave led zeppelin any good reviews either we know how that turned out.The album has something for everyone well done from a caring gifted musician and songwriter.Well done and worth the wait.… Full Review »
  2. LindaD
    May 8, 2009
    10
    I love this whole CD. It shows Keith raw emotion. He is truly in a great place right now and it is nice to have touching music. I love Hit I love this whole CD. It shows Keith raw emotion. He is truly in a great place right now and it is nice to have touching music. I love Hit the Ground Running, and Thank You. Can't wait for them to become singles. Great Job Keith....… Full Review »
  3. RonL
    Apr 12, 2009
    8
    Solid album by Keith. He's an extremely talented musician and continues his path outside of the country genre. Defying Gravity Solid album by Keith. He's an extremely talented musician and continues his path outside of the country genre. Defying Gravity encompasses many different musical styles without sacrificing his own sound. The luscious guitar on "'Til Summer Comes Around" and the rollicking "Hit the Ground Runnin" are two of my favorites here. Keith proves in this album that if you don't have to play a lot of notes if you only play the right ones.… Full Review »
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