I'm a sucker for sitcoms and dramas from the self-declared golden period of 1986 to 1993. More importantly the theme songs from those shows are what I remember above all. Can I recall the names of the two love interests in Perfect Strangers? No chance, but ask me to belt out the lyrics to 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Me Now' (the show's theme) and I will sung it to you line for line.

When I first heard lead single and opening track 'Once In A Lifetime' from Keith Urban's new album, it sounded like a T.V. theme song to me. Now as a measure of success of a song in my books, it is definitely a winner.

Though the road for Urban has been one paved with setbacks and years of patience, commercially at least he is now at his peak. But anyone who has taken even a passing interest in Keith's music knows he was always destined for more than just entertaining the Country Music crowd.

The brilliantly titled Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing is therefore more than just a country record. Like the title, Urban encapsulates a whole range of styles on this release and they all seem to gel. Where most crossover albums sound forced and transparent, Urban's effort merely reflects the different sides to the man's abilities as a performer.

Close your eyes and listen to 'Shine'. You're thinking maybe it's a song from the new Train album? No that's Urban effortlessly sounding like he is taking over a modern rock station near you. The double time at the end of the track, while a minor thing, doesn't go astray.

Since his recent courtship (how old fashioned of me) and marriage, his life has been pushed further into the spotlight, so it is no surprise to find where his muse has come from. If you haven't gotten the feeling of Urban's unbound devotion to his new wife then you really haven't been listening.

The pain he speaks about is the pain of being in love. In the brass laden 'Faster Car', he mentions the "you-shaped holes" and the separations that life on the open road and movie set commitments hold: "You got me talking to an empty pillow in the middle of the night".

The piano rocker 'Won't Let You Down' continues the confessional where Urban pretty much puts his marriage vows to music. He states: "I'll catch you when you fall". One hopes that the vow was reciprocal in light of Urban's recent battle with alcohol.

Ultimately, for all the rock and pop elements on display, Urban knows where his bread is buttered and songs like the grand balladry of 'I Can't Stop Loving You' (to be eventually covered by Ronan Keating) and 'Tu Compania' caters for his long time fans. The walking bass line of the latter song is killer and really makes this tune about the dream of domesticity.

An album as large as this (despite the subject matter aimed at one individual) has obviously been produced for the intention of a massive audience. Urban has many things yet to conquer both privately and publicly. Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing is the first giant step in his journey to do just that.

*For those that were wondering, Jennifer and Mary Anne were the love interests in Perfect Strangers.