[.ca] Some Hearts

From Amazon.com:
Would American Idol winner Carrie Underwood have landed a major-label recording contract without winning the hugely popular television contest? Probably. The big-voiced Oklahoman has the pipes, the look, the pedigree, and, most important, the emotional resonance to sustain a professional career. As an investment in her future, her label eschewed the easy path in putting out an album to take advantage of her publicity, going for a name producer, Dann Huff (Keith Urban, Faith Hill, Lonestar), to handle half the tracks. It also solicited material from the same top songwriters (Diane Warren, Brett James, Troy Verges, Rivers Rutherford) who stock albums by Hill, Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood, and Wynonna. "Jesus, Take the Wheel," the hit first single, shows off the best of Underwood's power vocals, while the sexy rocker "We're Young and Beautiful" pulls her out of her ballad-heavy comfort zone, and her autobiographical "I Ain't in Checotah Anymore" bolsters her authenticity. If the young performer oversings on occasion (the overwrought bonus track, "Inside Your Heaven"), and settles for too many generic themes, she still surprises in her ability to go head-to-head with country’s reigning females. Will Underwood really survive to be a contender for the Martina throne? Let's just say that American Idol judges and voters picked the right contestant. If the posturing Bo Bice had won, rock stars would hardly be quaking in their boots. --Alanna Nash More American Idol Winners Breakaway, Kelly Clarkson I Need an Angel, Ruben Studdard Free Yourself, Fantasia Barrino

A strong and surprising debut:
Carrie Underwood has proven, with her debut album "Some Hearts", that it's possible to come from a concept as contrived as "American Idol" and to still have enough authenticity to record some fine music. Her voice is expressive and has a recognizable edge, and she definitely is one of the rare truly arresting artists to come out of the American Idol factory. There is something endearing about the way she performs her songs, a simplicity in her delivery that sets her apart from the crowded pantheon of young female singers who feel the need to belt out their songs as though their lives depended on it. Underwood can deliver a subtle and nuanced performance, and can deliver the power notes just like the best of them. That kind of versatility serves her well. Aimed mainly at the country-pop market, the album is full of catchy songs and emotional ballads. Half the album was produced by Mark Bright and the other half was produced by Dann Huff. The former allows Underwood to really find her place, arguably proving that the more country-oriented songs (the potential crossover smash "Before he cheats", the terrific opener "Wasted", the hit singles "Jesus thake the wheel" and "Don't forget to remember me") bring out the best in Carrie Underwood. Huff's songs are perhaps more generic, AOR songs that are enjoyable but don't allow her personality to come through as eloquently; this said, power ballads like "Starts with goodbye" and especially "That's where it is" both work really well, as does the title track. Is this diversity a major flaw ? Certainly not - Olivia Newton-John built a legendary career out of walking the thin line between pop and country, so it won't necessarily hurt Underwood. But it can also be a double edged sword, and time alone will tell if Carrie will manage to entertain fans from both sides of that same thin line... It's fair to say that Underwood may have recorded the album with the unspoken purpose of finding where she belongs; judging by the success she's been having on the country charts, it looks as though she may have already answered that question. She's at her best when she performs playful songs such as "We're young and beautiful" or "Before he cheats", and she's equally great when she's handed a storytelling lyric ("Jesus take the wheel", "Wasted", "Don't forget to remember me"). Let's hope the next album allows her to gain a more focused musical direction, because she has a great potential; and in the meantime let's enjoy this entertaining and surprising debut album.

I Love This CD:
This CD surprised me. I was never a fan of country music before, but I love every song on this album and listen to it all the time. Carrie Underwood may not have much personality or stage presence, but man that girl can sing! Amazing vocals. Great CD. Looking forward to the next!! ... Hilights on the album are tracks 3,6,7,8,11 (those are my top 5, looooove them!!)

Great country CD!:
Great beginning for Carrie. Good songs. It's a mix between pop/country. Maybe it's a bit too commercial but it's her first cd. I can't wait for the second one on which for sure she will put more of her own touch.

WOW. WHAT A CD....SHE IS HOT:
This cd is the best i've heard in a long time. I guess America was right she has the looks, the voice, and the passion for music. If you haven't bought this cd yet i suggest that you go to the store right now and buy it.

Carrie Underwood shines with Some Hearts:
American Idol winner, Carrie Underwood, has found success with her first album and it has produced the top ten single, Before He Cheats. It reached #1 on 104.5 Chumfm in Toronto and reached the top ten on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart and Adult Contemporary chart. Jesus, Take the Wheel and Inside Your Heaven are two of the best songs on the album. Carrie Underwood not only deserved to win American Idol but has gone on to find success on larger scale and from the looks of things, Faith Hill has serious competition from this newcomer which combines both country and pop music and this is a winning combination. Move over, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood is here to stay.

• Wasted
• Don't Forget to Remember Me
• Some Hearts
• Jesus, Take the Wheel
• Night Before (Life Goes On)
• Lessons Learned
• Before He Cheats
• Starts with Goodbye
• I Just Can't Live a Lie
• We're Young and Beautiful
• That's Where It Is
• Whenever You Remember
• I Ain't in Checotah Anymore
• Inside Your Heaven \o*\c