America's sweetheart, Carrie Underwood, delivers a heartfelt, tastefully done package that illustrates the maturing talent of the young singer in her third album titled "Play On."
The 26-year-old reality show prodigy has earned a handful of honors from her previous albums "Some Hearts" and "Carnival Ride," but "Play On" is more tried and true than any of the previous multi-platinum selling records. Underwood's Nov. 3 release of Shania-esque pop pleasure shines as Nashville's finest storytelling as she proceeds to engage listeners with true to life tales of love, loss, revenge and honor.
After two and a half years since her last album, Underwood's fusion of modern country will be blasting on radios all over the country for audiences of all ages.
The blonde bombshell begins with the playful "Cowboy Casanova," a toe-tapping rock 'n' roll ode that uncovers the danger of enticing country boys. "He's like a curse; he's like a drug. You'll get addicted to his love," she croons with power.
"Mama's Song," one of my favorites, pulls at the same heartstrings that "Don't Forget to Remember Me" did in "Some Hearts." Underwood depicts the touching relationship she has with her own mama, adding stripped-down emotion to the backup vocals.
"What Can I Say," a warm duet with Sons of Sylvia, displays Underwood's range as she reaches into her falsetto. The simple but longing rendition shows Underwood can effortlessly mesh her voice in an innovative duet.
"Change" shifts direction with Underwood presenting moral dilemmas and "make a difference" messages. While the tribute clearly portrays her impressive range, the orchestral strings may simply be too loud as Underwood strains to be heard.
"Temporary Home" was my least favorite of the album as it depicts foster care, halfway houses and Jesus. "This is my temporary home, it's not where I belong, windows and rooms that I'm passing through, this is just a stop on the way to where I'm going. I'm not afraid because I know this is my temporary home," she cries. This simple production was a little too overdone and obvious for my taste.
The inspiring conclusion of title track "Play On" is unavoidably beautiful as it ties up the album's various ends with lyrics applicable to any situation in life. "Play on when you're losing the game. Play on 'cause you're gonna make mistakes. It's always worth a sacrifice; even when you think you're wrong, so play on, play on."
Despite Underwood's string of singles, she is still an amateur to song-writing. Seven co-writers in "Play On," include songwriters Kara DioGuardi, Hillary Lindsay and Luke Laird, help to develop a pleasant melody, but some lyrics seemed comparable to grade-school rhymes. Most vivid in "Quitter," Underwood sings of jerks she has repeatedly called quits on until she finds a man who finally makes it impossible to quit.
The former "Idol" rookie is putting to rest over-done tunes with a fresh album loudly reminding fans that this all-American girl means business. Underwood won't disappoint as she shows she is capable of even more prospective talent than she has already exposed.
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