What our writers love this week

Music

Keith Urban

Sure, he's up for Entertainer of the Year at tonight's Academy of Country Music Awards, but when it comes to Keith Urban, I'd rather talk about his new album, "Defying Gravity" (Capitol), than his three ACM nods. The album came out Tuesday, and with its pop hooks and rock guitar solos, "Defying Gravity" will surely keep the country establishment singing their old line ("He's not country enough!"). Who cares? Not me — I'm too busy humming "Kiss a Girl" (listen up at www.myspace.com/keithurban and you will be, too). And the ACMs? Catch those at 8 tonight on CBS.

Raina Wagner, Seattle Times NWTicket editor

DVDs

Robbie Coltrane

This bulky Scottish actor-comedian is best know for the hirsute role of Hagrid, in the "Harry Potter" films. But Coltrane is at his best in the award-winning crime drama "Cracker" (all 11 episodes are now out in a DVD box set). Coltrane is in his serio-comic element as the brainy, sharp-witted forensic psychologist Edward "Fitz" Fitzgerald. Fitz can crack any case — yet can't keep his personal life from becoming an utter shambles.

Misha Berson, Seattle Times arts writer

Books

"Blueberry Girl"

Fantasy author Neil Gaiman, who just won the Newbery award for "The Graveyard Book," has published a picture book that started out as a poem to a friend's unborn child. "Blueberry Girl," illustrated by Charles Vess (HarperCollins) is sweet but not saccharine, hopeful but not hopelessly optimistic. This one's going to show up at a lot of baby showers.

Mary Ann Gwinn, Seattle Times book editor