Keith Urban returns to country with 'Get Closer'

After testing the poppier and rockier boundaries of country on the Grammy-winning "Defying Gravity," Keith Urban has returned to more straightforward country on his new album, "Get Closer" (Capitol).

Though he still tries to inject some rock guitar solos into the proceedings, Urban's sweet spot is the heartwarming ballad, and he delivers some lovey-dovey doozies this time out. "All for You" is touching in its simplicity, an acoustic weeper that seems primed for wedding receptions, while "Right on Back to You" will work as a well-crafted apology. "Without You," with its fragile guitar and lush fiddles, is all about offering a vulnerable sentiment - "The fast cars, the guitars, they are all just second to this life, this love that you and I've been dreaming of for so long."

Even when he rocks it up in the single "Put You in a Song," Urban is still trying to cover being smitten with some clever analogies.

"Get Closer" doesn't break any new ground for Urban, but sometimes even the adventurous just want to stay home and snuggle.

GRADE B+