Underwood’s latest album will have fans yelling ‘Play On’
“American Idol” has churned out great artist after great artist, and the fourth season was no different after Carrie Underwood won the title. She has now released her third album, Play On, with a mixture of love ballads, inspirational songs and, of course, some for sure top hits. While a few songs may sound instrumentally similar and more than likely will not appear on the radio, every song’s lyrics are amplified by Underwood’s dazzling voice, making the entire album that much more intense and emotional. The album as a whole will pull on heartstrings everywhere, making up for any flaw there could possibly be. The first track, as well as first single off Play On, is a very effective attention grabber. “Cowboy Casanova” has a fun, pop-country feel, warning girls everywhere of the “devil in disguise.” The guitar in this song is particularly strong and clear, and pairing Underwood’s glorious voice with the backup singers’ fun addition of ...
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CMT | Topic | Underwood’s latest album will have fans yelling ‘Play On’
 
 
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“American Idol” has churned out great artist after great artist, and the fourth season was no different after Carrie Underwood won the title. She has now released her third album, Play On, with a mixture of love ballads, inspirational songs and, of course, some for sure top hits.

While a few songs may sound instrumentally similar and more than likely will not appear on the radio, every song’s lyrics are amplified by Underwood’s dazzling voice, making the entire album that much more intense and emotional. The album as a whole will pull on heartstrings everywhere, making up for any flaw there could possibly be.

The first track, as well as first single off Play On, is a very effective attention grabber.

“Cowboy Casanova” has a fun, pop-country feel, warning girls everywhere of the “devil in disguise.” The guitar in this song is particularly strong and clear, and pairing Underwood’s glorious voice with the backup singers’ fun addition of “whoa” really adds to the song and sets it apart from other songs on the album.

Another angry breakup song to revive the tone and lyrics of “Before He Cheats” is “Undo It.” With fast-paced instrumentals and a quieter beginning that leads into the angry chorus “You stole my happy/ You made me cry/ You took the lonely and took me for a ride/ And I wanna un un un un undo it/ You had my heart now I want it back/ I started to see everything you lack/ Boy, you blew it” gives off an “I’m over you” air and is one song that is sure to be quite popular.

“Look at Me” was originally by Alan Jackson, but Underwood’s version is more emotional and has a little more soul. She varies her voice with octaves, an aspect Jackson’s version was lacking. Both versions are great songs, but Underwood’s just has a little something extra that brings the song to it’s full potential.

In traditional Underwood style, there are also a couple of inspirational songs on Play On. “Change the World” talks about how anyone can help with just 39 cents “Don’t listen to them when they say/ You’re just a fool/ Just a fool to believe/ You can change the world/ Oh, the smallest thing can make all the difference” showcasing her magnificent vocal range right along with encouraging people to help out.

“Play On” is another inspirational song encouraging those going through a tough time to keep at it, and Underwood’s soulful and emotional voice really helps convince listeners she is serious.

The sad yet beautiful ballads on Play On come in two different forms. One is a song about looking forward to and hoping for something better in “Temporary Home.” The other form is a love ballad in “Someday When I Stop Loving” and “What Can I Say.” In “What Can I Say,” Underwood is joined by Sons of Sylvia, three brothers who also sing country. This song is really unique, because the powerful voices of the brothers really enhance the song and play off Underwood’s unbelievable talent and beautiful voice, making the song sound genuinely sad.

While some of the Underwood’s newest songs will be hits only on a fan’s iTunes playlist, her third album will be no letdown. With beautifully crafted songs to reinforce her undeniable talent and relatable, genuine lyrics, no one will regret voting for Miss Carrie Underwood and making her one of the best and most successful “American Idols.”

(http://badgerherald.com/artsetc/2009/11/04/underwoods_latest_al.php)

 
 
 
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  • countrymusicfan15 countrymusicfan15 commented | 17 days ago
     
    Nice review! Thanks for posting!
     
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  • OuidaW OuidaW commented | 17 days ago
     
    Great CD and Play on is a very good, good message.
     
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  • brenda218 brenda218 commented | 17 days ago
     
    Great review
     
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  • brenda218 brenda218 commented | 17 days ago
     
    I love that song and my hubbys favorite, he plays it over and over. She has a lot of great songs on there. Really loving this cd.
     
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  • pappy75 pappy75 commented | 17 days ago
     
    I like them all but my favorite is "Someday when I stop loving you"Beautiful sad ballad.
     
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  • OuidaW OuidaW commented | 17 days ago
     
    I like all the songs, but some more than others. I have listened to th esong "Play ON" several times. It has a great message. Not sure I have a real favorite right now. Gotta listen several times.
     
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  • ljiljiana ljiljiana commented | 17 days ago
     
    My order of faves
    1.cowboy casanova
    2. quitter(love, love the instrumental on this song)
    3.temporary home(this one grabs the heart)
    4.look at me(beautiful country balad)
    5.someday when i stop loving you( this one will be a classic)
    6.undo it(probably will be released as single)
    7. what can i say ( beautiful duet except her voice isway more poerful than his)
     
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  • LadyVi LadyVi commented | 17 days ago
     
    thanks RFF....this is a great read article..

    I got the cd yesterday and I already played many times. I like this album more than her first 2 because it has a bit of everything. Also, I found there are maturities in this album and Carrie has put a lot of her feeling when she sung these songs...especially the spiritual and the love songs. With her magnificant voice and her feelings together...it is just superb.

    Anyone who has follow Carrie since American Idol like I did...you can tell she came a long way and has shown us that she is truly a beautiful person as well as a great artist. I like her and appreciate her music ..not by how many awards she have..and like she say...if awards come...we take it....lol

    I loved all the songs in this album, but the first 10 (or all the 13) are my favours...

    #1 "Song Like This"..great vocal, lyric & music blended well
    #2 "Temporary Home"..great vocal & lyric
    #3 "Someday When I Stop Loving You"
    #4 "Change"..great vocal & lyric
    #5 "Look At Me"..soft love song
    #6 "Unapologize"..upbeat, super catchy chorus
    #7 "This Time"
    #8 "MaMa's Song"
    #9 "Quitter"..traditional country
    #10 "What Can I Say"..crystaline vocal against male counterpart
    #11 "Play On"
    #12 Cowboy Casanova"
    #13 "Undo It"
     
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  • AvalonSister AvalonSister commented | 17 days ago
     
    Great article - I've listened to my CD several times and I too am trying to decide which ones I love the best. I agree that she has really grown as an artist and Carrie is not just a flash in the pan. She is going to be around for a long time. That kind of talent doesn't just fade away. There may be a temporary lag in the awards (because of her absence these past months), but with these songs on the horizon I see her coming right back to the top on the radio and the awards shows. GO CARRIE!!!
     
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  • Racer874 Racer874 commented | 18 days ago
     
    I'm still deciding what my favorites are as well judy. Some songs have grown on me in just the last day or so that I didn't care for much when I first heard it, like "Some Day When I Stop Loving You" and "This Time". I think that my favorites are still Unapologize, Undo It, and What Can I Say.
     
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  • joshwe3 joshwe3 commented | 18 days ago
     
    Thanks for posting this great article! I love all the songs on the album and I can't decide which one is my favorites!! IT IS SUCH AN AMAZING ALBUM!! WAY TO GO CARRIE!
     
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  • carrielp carrielp commented | 18 days ago
     
    awesome carrie news thanks, i didnt know that 1 of my new favorites "look @ me" was originally done by alan jackson??? I really love that song though, it trys to make me cry everytime :O(.... Just love Carrie news, thanks!!!!
     
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  • judy judy commented | 18 days ago
     
    Great article. Thanks for posting it. I do love this CD, and I can't really decide right off which are my favs. I know the more I listen to it I will be able to dedice. I love them all.
     
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