 "Photo: N/A")
Ever since winning "American Idol" in 2005, the success story for Carrie Underwood has been a dream come true.
After being named the 2008 Entertainer of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards and winning four Grammys, Underwood has released her latest effort "Play On," in hopes of continuing the journey down the road of success.
"Cowboy Casanova," the album’s lead single, is a country boot-stomper with a little bit of a crossover pop sound. It could even be compared to Underwood’s previous single "Before He Cheats," in the fact that this could be played on mainstream radio.
Underwood also uses Swedish pop hitmaker Max Martin, writer of No. 1 hits like Katy Perry’s "I Kissed A Girl" and Britney Spears’s latest "3," for the album’s second track, "Quitter."
Martin adds his own twist to Underwood’s usual country sound, and the result is a sweet, happy tune that should be well-received by country and mainstream audiences.
"Change," an emotional, heartfelt ballad is one of the album’s strongest tracks.
Underwood insists that no matter who you are or where you come from, you have the ability to change the world just as much as anyone else does.
The lyrics about wanting to change the world should help "Change" become the new "American Idol" season’s Idol Gives Back song.
Though current "American Idol" judge Kara Dioguardi was not a judge during Underwood’s winning season, that didn’t stop them from collaborating twice on "Play On," on the tracks "Mama’s Song" and the chant worthy "Undo It."
Underwood sounds amazing singing "Undo It." The song’s hook is catchy and should be enough to warrant the song’s release as a single in the future, much like "Quitter."
"Temporary Home," showcases an impressive vocal range and proves that Underwood has the best voice in the country music industry, making listeners think, "Taylor Swift who?"
When Underwood sings, listeners can feel the passion and emotion in her lyrics.
While Underwood didn’t do anything extraordinarily different for her new album, she continues to record songs that are "signature Carrie," and should keep fans listening and wanting to "Play On."
Grade: B+
5 comments