Keith Urban "Fuse" Album Review

Keith Urban released his 7th studio album, Fuse last week, on September 10, which is also the name of his current headlining tour. It's no secret that I'm a HUGE Keith fan and have been from the moment But, For the Grace of God was released to radio, even if I was a bit younger to truly express how much I liked him. He has proved over time that he is not only an artist and a musician, but that he is also an incredible songwriter at that.

With this album, you can tell he branched out a bit with styles and sounds. Keith described that as the fusing part of the record; deciding what sounded good together, whether it was beats or voices, and just trying something new. There are some songs that have a bit more of a rock edge and a pop flare here and there, with a country twist that only Keith can pull off. However, his catchy melodies and descriptive lyrics are all still there, and let's be honest those are what make a Keith song, aside from his gorgeous Aussie voice.

I would almost be as bold to call this a country/hip hop/pop/rock album, if that makes any sense? HA! The first time I listened to it, I wasn't quite sure of what to make of it. It was a little different than what we're used to with him, but as I listen to it more

Somewhere In My Car has that traditional catchy rhythm and beat to it and who can forget those famous, "Oooh-ooh's" we all love to hear Keith say in between a verse and chorus. Definitely makes me want to have a dance party or rock out with my air guitar. I also love the 80's vibe in the chorus. But, probably one of his most, uh, descriptive songs to date! ha!

But, in my mind we're somewhere in my car 

And it's raining hard on the streetlight glow

You got your lips on mine, it's gasoline on fire

I never will forget, you grabbed my shirt and pulled it over my head

And your fingertips slide up and down my back

Breathin' hard, steamin' up the glass

I'd give anything if I could bring you back home

Even The Stars Fall 4 U I think this is the perfect next single for Keith. It's like one of those daydream songs. You know, when you hear that song and think about that one special person? Or maybe you just dream of finding that person someday. As soon as I hear this song, I see a mini movie in my head that would make for the cutest music video.

Every star up in the sky, has got your name on it tonight

And they don't stand a chance like I know I don't

Girl, you can't tell me that you can't see, the kind of spell you put on me

You gotta know just what you do, 

Even the stars fall for you...

Cop Car This one deals with that innocent, puppy love, that maybe isn't so innocent after all. You can be so caught up in it and it's dangerous, because you're pushing new boundaries. But, in the end, it's worth every repercussion you're going to have to face. This is such a fresh take on the matter of "young love" and great metaphorically speaking, as well. Keith always has a way of making something so easy on the ears, while getting a bit deeper with the heart. 

You were thinking that

Running for it

Would make a good story

I was thinking you were crazy as hell

And you were so innocent

But, you were stealing my heart

I fell in love in the back of a cop car.

Shame This is one of the more repetitive tracks on the CD, but I think that's exactly what the tune needs. It gets the point across of learning from your mistakes and not being perfect. Sometimes that's a cycle that we go through in life, where we're constantly messing up, but each and every time you just get up again and dust yourself off. A great theme song for this point in my life.

Hey, I'm not tryin' to be perfect 

It's not like it's worth it

Everyone hurts the same

Hey, I'm not tryin' to be special

'Cause I ain't no angel

Everyone hurts the same

What a shame

Good Thing The intro to this song reminds me too much of a Luke Bryan song. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but it's not my style. Definitely catchy, but it's not my favorite. 

Just give me one chance,

And you'll never be lonely no more.

We Were Us (Duet with Miranda Lambert) First off, I was extremely impressed with Miranda's vocals on this particular song. When I heard they were doing a song together, I wasn't quite sure what angle they'd be coming from. But, I am obsessed with this song! I think this will be a huge hit for both of them, since it's the latest single for Keith. It's not your typical breakup song; pining away for the love of your life, your heart breaking into a million pieces when those little reminders come back. Instead, you're relishing over the fact that the relationship happened and you can still smile about it. It takes you through those special times and how sometimes it just fades out.

Back when that song was a song

I could sing along without thinkin' bout you every time it came on

Every beat, every line, every word, every time

When a road was a road

I could roll on through without wishin' that empty seat was you

Money was gas, dreams were dust, 

Love was fast and we were us (Definitely my favorite lines)

Love's Poster Child The instruments in this one make it sound a bit more sultry and gritty than a lot of Keith's songs. I would almost even compare parts of it to a Jason Aldean song for that southern rock flare. I love the way he messes with the guitar more and truly shows what he can do with his talent in that area. He has such a way of making you feel something with just a few strings on the guitar and that's impressive!

Show me how it's done this side of Dixie

I'm a broke down truck, baby, won't you fix me

Just keep on dancin' til the break of dawn, come on, come on

Stars fall down, make the world stop, kiss me

Wherever I go, I want you with me

Somethin bout you makes my heart run wild

You're love's poster child

She's My 11 I think this track shows the versatility of Keith's voice; roller coaster at the beginning, "oooh's" and the Justin Timberlake falsetto as he slides into the chorus. Perfect for cruising around town with your sweetie with the top down and loving life. Another cute daydream song. 

Come Back To Me It sounds like one of his classic heartbreak songs, with a bit of a longing in the guitar strings he plays. Much slower than the rest of the album, but truly beautiful, just the same. What a beautiful premise for the story line, too. The idea that the girl has things she has to do, but that when she returns, that guy will still be there waiting for her. If you love something, let it go, really rings true here.

If there's pavement you ain't put your shoes on

If there's dance floors you ain't made a move on yet

If you're feelin' too safe here beside me 

And you wanna do somethin' you might regret

Try the whole world on if you feel the need

Then come back to me

Red Camaro Some interesting beats start off the song, adding in a bit of banjo keeps the theme of "fuse" going right along. It's fun to drum along to and groove a little bit. One of those songs that you'll be able to turn on in your car and make it feel like it's summer all year long. You also have to appreciate his "rap" style of getting out the words in the second verse.

Your lips around a Coca-Cola

My hand on the wheel and your head on my shoulder

Some things never go out of style

Like you and me together

Staring at your legs on the leather of my

Red camaro

Little Bit Of Everything was the perfect song to release as the first single as it best encompasses this new era for him, but isn't so far off from his old stuff that it throws people off. In fact, after listening to the rest of the record, that seems like the safe choice to continue seeking out the same audience, as well as others that might not be as familiar with the rest of his music. I wasn't crazy about it the first time I heard it, but like most songs, it grew on me very quickly and became one of the songs of my summer.

I don't need too much of nothin'

I just wanna sing a little chill song

Get my groove on

Pour somethin' strong down in my drink

Oh, I know

I don't need a whole lot of anything

I just want a little bit of everything

Na na na na, na na na na,

I just want a little bit of everything,

Na na na na, na na na na

Raise 'Em Up (featuring Eric Church) The beginning of this track probably sounds the most country with the soft strumming of the guitar, and Keith's voice sounds remarkably like Eric Church's at the beginning. There were parts where I got the two confused the first time I gave it a listen! It resembles "Somebody Like You" a lot in the chorus, which just seemed funny...I wonder, did he do that on purpose?

Get those white sails sailing down in Mexico

It's just a whiskey glass if you ain't makin' a toast

Life your tear-filled eyes up to the sky

A comin' home, you've been gone too long

Tonight we're gonna

Raise 'em up

Heart Like Mine Another ballad of sorts that follows the story of a man who is hard to love and knows he could be a better man, but has a hard time getting to that place, because of the heart he has and the things he has seen in his life. If I'm not mistaken, this might be the track that was like a "pre-quel" to his hit, "Stupid Boy," like a glance at that crossroads before he lost the one thing that ever really mattered in his life.

I'm doing the same things 

I saw my father do

'Cause I was just a kid in the corner

Watching the words as they turned black and blue

Black Leather Jacket Another one of those songs reliving the glory days, just by putting on that leather jacket you wore in high school. It's almost like a catchier, more modern day version of "Unanswered Prayers" in the sense that both high school sweethearts have moved on, but the memories still come back with that one object and time stands still.

And if I put it back on, I'm sixteen sittin' next to you,

Down by the river you got the shivers, so I put it around you

We're countin' down the memories in the moonlight and red wine, vinyl static

Three polaroids, two young hearts, and one real cool, black leather jacket

Gonna B Good Such a perfect song for this time of year! I feel like fall is the time when we all start to reflect a little more and can be content with our lives and the stages that we're in. This is going to be a motto of mine for the quarter at school I'm heading into right now. It's a feel good song, and will be one of those anthems that I rock out to when I just need a pick-me-up.

Oh, it's all starting to come together

Stars are lining up like they should

Yeah, like I pictured, but even better

It's gonna be you and me

And it's gonna be, yeah, it's gonna be good!

Lucky Charm Has a bit of a rock edge as it starts out in the beginning of the intro, but it eases back into a groove that only Keith Urban can do! He sure does love to sing about those shooting star analogies ;).

Sunlight shinin', baby, roll the dice

Now that I got you by my side

We can't lose

No more waitin' on a shooting star

I'm betting it all on your pretty heart

Baby, you're my lucky charm

I think it's a fantastic album, with so much thought process behind all of the instruments and songwriting. But, I still have to say Defying Gravity will always be my favorite album of his, but I love the fact that he isn't complacent and is bold enough to try new things from time to time. He knows who he is, and I think that's why the fans trust him enough to go a little outside of his comfort zone when he needs to.

Listening to this album has me even more excited to see him at The Hollywood Bowl in just a couple weeks. These songs will be EPIC live, I can already tell.

That's all for now,
Shelby :)