Women of Country - Album Reviews

Album Review

Carrie Underwood
Some Hearts
Arista Records

America did good. To make a long story short, Carrie Underwood’s debut record for Arista Nashville is an exquisite blend of truly contemporary country music. Featuring songs culled from such Nashville luminaries as Brett James, Troy Verges, Hillary Lindsey, and yes, Diane Warren, Some Hearts is a bonafide success.

“Wasted” leads this thirteen song set (fourteen if you include the bonus track, “Inside Your Heaven”) and quickly establishes a precedent for things to come. Some Hearts is an album about finding yourself and embarking on that big ride down the highway of your life. For the most part, it’s a coming of age story; a story of maturity. Along those lines, “Wasted” tells the stories of two lost souls, one an alcoholic, the other falling out of love and refusing to turn around because, “that would be like pouring raindrops back into a cloud.”

“Don’t Forget to Remember Me” is next, and boy is it a winner. For anyone who has ever left home, or had one of those conversations that just go on and on to delay goodbye, I only have one thing to say to you – and that is, you are going to hear a bit of yourself in this song. What I am thinking, though, is I wish my Momma had stuck a “fifty in the ashtray” in case I ran out of cash!

Elsewhere on the disc, “Starts With Goodbye,” “Before He Cheats,” and “I Just Can’t Live A Lie” rise above the rest. However, it is “(The Night Before) Life Goes On” that really takes the cake. Where “Don’t Forget to Remember Me” is a sonic goodbye to one’s family, “Life Goes On” is a resistant goodbye to your high school flame performed with just the right amount of pain, desire, and abandon.

“We’re Young and Beautiful,” with it’s clunky structure and far too repetitive refrain is Carrie’s only real misstep here. The track that follows it, “That’s Where It Is” is a little too syrupy, as well, but her vocal prowess nearly makes up for it. That said, it would make for a wise release to adult contemporary radio.

All together, Some Hearts is a real fine initial effort. If you haven’t had the chance to hear the country radio single, “Jesus, Take The Wheel,” make a point to do so. It may just turn you on to the sure-to-be pride of Checotah, Oklahoma.

Album Review by Chris Macon.

The WOC Rating Scale

The album stands above the rest. This is a record that every country music fan needs to have in their collection.

This album is better than the average release. A strong record with some flaws that keep it from reaching that 5 star level.

This album is an average country release. Doesn't posses qualities that make it stand out among all the other albums out there.

A weak record that lacks solid songs or good vocal performances. Sample before you buy.

This record is a bargin-bin reject that just isn't worth the time or the money. Completely misses the mark.