|
Sample it here
What’s the 4-1-1?
The debut album from the winner of the fourth American Idol winner
strives for country/pop crossover.
Genre
Country / pop-rock
The Good
The country radio hit “Jesus Takes The Wheel” has a decent story
in the lyrics and the song isn’t bad. “Wasted” is a solid
lead track, and “Don’t Forget To Remember Me” is the first
ballad on the CD and it’s pretty good as well.
The album has its share of the ballads and pop sounding country tunes. You have
the requisite subjects covered in the lyrics. There’s a reflecting back
on the changes in Underwood’s life in “I Ain’t In Checotah
Anymore,” and the up tempo look at two lovers parting ways on “The
Night Before (Life Goes On).”
The best song on the album is the one where the image of the sunny girl next
door image of Underwood gets changed around vocally. Her performance on the 'woman
done wrong' song “Before He Cheats” is simply outstanding.
The Bad
The title track is one of three songs written by prolific songwriter Diane Warren.
It’s an incredibly blatant bid for a mega crossover pop hit. The problem
is the song SUCKS. It’s horrible! It reminds me of a love song from
some putrid 1980’s teen movie soundtrack.
The Verdict
Normally I prefer the country artists I listen to be able to write their
own material. I don’t really count a co-writing credit to make one
a full fledged writer. However, I may have just found my second exception
to the rule. I love Trisha Yearwood who is the premiere interpreter of
other person’s material. Carrie Underwood moves beyond the garbage
that is the show that launched her career.
It’s not perfect, you’ve got one song that is just awful and a couple
of tracks that strike me as filler material, but Underwood has a pretty solid
voice. If her career is nurtured and supported correctly she may go down as the
most successful of the American Idol champions.
If you support the show, simply want to check out something “country,” or
like country music in the first place, this is a solid disc for you to add to
your collection.
Did You Know?
Carrie Underwood co-wrote the song “I Ain’t In Checotah Anymore.” Dan
Huff, who produced 6 of the tracks on Some Hearts, has worked with Megadeth’s
Dave Mustaine, and had his own rock band called Giant.
Rating:  out
of 5
-- Jay Roberts
|
CARRIE
UNDERWOOD
