2008 Woodie Awards
CD Review: "Carnival Ride"
Set the Record Straight
Rachel Mayhew
Issue date: 11/1/07 Section: Features
There is a song very reminiscent of Underwood's famously popular "Before He Cheats" from her first album. With lyrics like" I had no idea what I was getting into…I blame it on the Cuervo…And I don't even know his last name." How could one not laugh at the lyrics about how alcohol can make someone do crazy things?
Obviously the song is describing a night with a man who she eventually marries in Las Vegas because of the alcohol. The lyrics also go into how her mama would be so ashamed that she didn't even know his last name. The song is a hoot and just a generally fun song to listen to on the album. The lyrics are hilarious but the vocals are strong which just makes the song so much better.
The CD is not just full of rocking songs that cause the beat to go up. Like her first album, there are slower songs that manage to have a somewhat haunting tone to them.
"Just a Dream" is the first slow song on the album that tells the sad story about a woman who loses the love of her life who served in the army. The song goes into the desperation the woman feels clinging to the fact she tries to keep telling herself it is just a dream. Sadly, this is not the case in this haunting tale, which talks about the funeral for the person she loved so dearly.
The song "All-American Girl" is the sweet song a girl who has wrapped her father and then her boyfriend around her finger. The first part of the song is the POV of the father and the second goes to her boyfriend who she meets in high school. The lyrics are very sentimental with it going as such: "And now he's wrapped around her finger…She's the center of his whole world…And his heart belongs to that sweet, little, beautiful, wonderful, perfect All American Girl."
Many have criticized Underwood for being more pop than county, but this tone definitely changes in the sophomore album. There are much more country sounding songs than the previous album.
These are just a few of the strongest songs on the album. Her entire album is full of surprises and will definitely convert those who may have not previously liked Underwood's work. So for those din doubt, who love country-pop music, doubt no more and go to the nearest store and pick up this fantastic CD.
Grade: B+
Obviously the song is describing a night with a man who she eventually marries in Las Vegas because of the alcohol. The lyrics also go into how her mama would be so ashamed that she didn't even know his last name. The song is a hoot and just a generally fun song to listen to on the album. The lyrics are hilarious but the vocals are strong which just makes the song so much better.
The CD is not just full of rocking songs that cause the beat to go up. Like her first album, there are slower songs that manage to have a somewhat haunting tone to them.
"Just a Dream" is the first slow song on the album that tells the sad story about a woman who loses the love of her life who served in the army. The song goes into the desperation the woman feels clinging to the fact she tries to keep telling herself it is just a dream. Sadly, this is not the case in this haunting tale, which talks about the funeral for the person she loved so dearly.
The song "All-American Girl" is the sweet song a girl who has wrapped her father and then her boyfriend around her finger. The first part of the song is the POV of the father and the second goes to her boyfriend who she meets in high school. The lyrics are very sentimental with it going as such: "And now he's wrapped around her finger…She's the center of his whole world…And his heart belongs to that sweet, little, beautiful, wonderful, perfect All American Girl."
Many have criticized Underwood for being more pop than county, but this tone definitely changes in the sophomore album. There are much more country sounding songs than the previous album.
These are just a few of the strongest songs on the album. Her entire album is full of surprises and will definitely convert those who may have not previously liked Underwood's work. So for those din doubt, who love country-pop music, doubt no more and go to the nearest store and pick up this fantastic CD.
Grade: B+
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