I wouldn’t consider myself a country music fan. I’ve never been to a concert with a country performer and up until recently the only music I had from this genre was Rascal Flatt’s “Life is a Highway” and that’s only because I’m a fan of Disney music. Carrie Underwood was on my radar but I had never heard her stuff. Just a few weeks back I heard Underwood’s big single “Before He Cheats” and listened to “Ever After” in the film “Enchanted.” I figured right then and there this girl is something special. On a whim I picked up both of her albums, her debut “Some Hearts” and her latest chart topper, “Carnival Ride.” While I’m still not a country music fan I would have to declare myself a total Carrie Underwood fanatic.
“Carnival Ride” is an album filled with beautiful, inspirational songs that don’t come off as extremely preachy. The first single off the album “So Small” discusses how people tend to make mountains out of molehills. You can’t get anymore descriptive with lyrics like “Cause sometimes that mountain you’ve been climbing/is just a grain of sand.” While I don’t consider this anything new from the singer it is a charming and uplifting tune. Another song “Crazy Dreams” deals with maintaining your dreams and staying true to yourself, no matter the obstacles. If you ever needed a soundtrack to your life, this is the album! Every song has a relatable feel to it. “Get Out of This Town” speaks to me personally as it deals with being in love and gaining independence.
Underwood is also to make a love song for any type of relationship. “Last Name” deals with having a drunken one night stand to the point where “my mama would be ashamed of me” and resulting in a Vegas wedding. It’s a fun song that you can sing with your friends. Other songs are incredibly powerful and sad like “Just a Dream” dealing about a young bride whose groom is killed in war. This is probably the most tragic and best song on the album. Underwood’s vocals bring to new heights and she definitely needs to be recognized for this track.
Some of the songs can tend to blend together. While all beautiful, they usually have the same messages. “I Know You Won’t” and “I Told You So” tend to sound the same to me. Other’s like “The More Boys I Meet” and “All American Girl” have great stories behind them and are fun relationship songs. Another great track is “Wheel of the World” that deals with the cycle of life. Another track called “Flat on the Floor” deals with being kicked while you’re down.
The track just has a smorgasbord of songs that are great for any occasion. Whether you’re in a great relationship, a bad relationship, just got out of one or just need something to calm you after a bad day then Carrie Underwood’s “Carnival Ride” is for you. Underwood has probably the best voice I’ve heard in years, next to Christina Aguilera and this is a girl not to be trifled with. I consider myself a true fan of Underwood’s style. It’s country, without all the country clichés.
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