Flashback CD Review #52 - Carrie Underwood - Some Hearts

This review was originally written for the Rock Is Life.com website back in 2005. Yes it is a country CD but we reviewed whatever material we got sent, and at the time of this album coming out, the powers that be were looking to have Underwood cross over genres. As it stands in 2011, she is decidedly a country music superstar and not a pop music star.

Carrie Underwood

Some Hearts

Arista Records Nashville - 2005

http://www.carrieunderwoodofficial.com

What's The 4-1-1?

The debut album from the winner of the fourth American Idol strives for country / pop crossover.

Genre

Country / Pop

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" is the first ballad on the CD and it is pretty good as well.

The album has its share of ballads and pop-sounding country tunes. You have the requisite subjects covered in the lyrics. There's a reflecting back on the changed in Underwood's life in "I Ain't In Checotah Anymore" and the uptempo 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 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. Its an incredibly blatant bid for a mega crossover pop hit. The problem is the song SUCKS. Its 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 being 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 people's material. Carrie Underwood moves beyond the garbage that is the show that launched her career.

Its 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 - 4 out of 5