15 out of 15 people found this review helpful.
After this album, I grudgingly admit that I like country...
Date of Review: Nov 28, 2005
The Bottom Line: Buy it! Though I'm not a fan of the entire album, it definitely has its shining moments.
From the moment her name was announced as the winner on "American Idol," I knew I could expect great things from Carrie Underwood. Carrie has many things going for her, especially her angelic voice and her natural beauty. Her debut single "Inside Your Heaven" is her first attempt at impressing the non-"Idol" crowd, and it has fared extremely well.
On "Some Hearts," Carrie cements her true country roots, which is the direction she has decided to take her career in. There are many standout tracks, from "Wasted" to "Jesus, Take the Wheel," and "Inside Your Heaven."
1) "Wasted" - 10/10. This is an excellent lead-off track. Although it is midtempo, the melody is very catchy, and the chorus is easy to get stuck in your head.
2) "Don't Forget to Remember Me" - 9/10. This is a great song, and the lyrics are meaningful. Not the most memorable track on the album, but it definitely has its moments.
3) "Some Hearts" - 7/10. Though it is one of the more "popish" songs on the album, it is catchy and has great crossover potential. Very similar to much of Shania Twain's material.
4) "Jesus, Take the Wheel" - 10/10. This song is amazing. This track is definitely country music, something that I had attempted to stay away from in the past...but I LOVE it! Carrie's role as a storyteller is believable, and the lyrics are incredibly inspirational. This song will make Carrie a star in the country music industry and beyond.
5) "The Night Before (Life Goes On)" - 6/10. Vocals are the highlight on this track. A very "country" song reminiscent of some of LeAnn Rimes' work, but this track is definitely not a shining star on the album.
6) "Lessons Learned" - 4/10. I don't quite know why, but I always skip this one. Her vocals are strong, but nothing about this song stands out. The repetitive phrase "...lessons learned..." really begins to bother me about a minute into the song.
7) "Before He Cheats" - 9/10. The most fun song on the album. Lyrics are catchy, hilarious, and well-written; they carry the same chick-power theme as Kelly Clarkson's single "Since You've Been Gone." Carrie shows that she can do both serious ballads and upbeat songs.
8) "Starts With Goodbye" - 9/10. One of the best songs on the album. Beautiful lyrics and piano on this track. My second-favorite ballad on the album.
9) "I Just Can't Live a Lie" - 8/10. Carrie's vocals drive this song. Her control is amazing, especially in the bridge. However, the lyrics are quite bland.
10) "We're Young and Beautiful" - 3/10. For a newcomer to anything more "country" than Faith Hill/LeAnn Rimes-style country pop, this track is another one I like to skip. The lyrics are fun, and the vocals are still bright, but the instruments can be annoying.
11) "That's Where It Is" - 6/10. By Track 11, you'd expect a bit more song variety. This sounds too similar to some of her other songs. Not bad, but not good.
12) "Whenever You Remember" - 9.5/10. The chorus is beautiful on this song, and the guitar chords fit very well.
13) "I Ain't In Checotah Anymore" - 10/10. Another fun songs! I have NO IDEA why this very, very, VERY "country" song caught my interest, but it did. The lyrics are very memorable and catchy.
14) "Inside Your Heaven" - 10/10. In the midst of my happy fog, part of my brain realizes that the lyrics and melody are really nothing out of the ordinary. However, I'm a sucker for ballads, and I just can't help belting this out when I'm driving alone. Carrie's voice is beautiful and powerful.
Tower Records
