Some Hearts; Carrie Underwood

After winning the American Idol in 2005, Carrie Underwood propelled herself to mega-stardom. But what begun then, was only a hint of what was to come her way. Since then she's come along way. Currently she's about to release her third studio album, titled Play On. Besides that she has been inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, and happens to be there youngest member. She has recieved over eight Grammy nomination, that is the most any American Idol has ever had; and she's won four of them. Also she is a phenomenon during the Country Music Awards and has bagged 'Female Entertainer of the Year', twice in a row. And if all that is not enough, she's on the number uno spot on Forbes list of American Idol winners. And all that has happened in just four years!

Some Hearts was her first album, released on November 15th 2005. It went platinum seven times in US and three times in Canada. It has released six singles, and they all have recieved major success. The track listing is as follows;

1. Wasted
2. Don't Forget To Remember Me
3. Some Hearts
4. Jesus, Take the Wheel
5. The Night Before (Life Goes On)
6. Lessons Learned
7. Before He Cheats
8. Starts with a Goodbye
9. I Just Can't Live a Lie
10. We're Young and Beautiful
11. That's Where It Is
12. Whenever You Remember Me
13. I Ain't in Checotah Anymore
14. Inside Your Heaven

Being the very first album, Underwood didn't take part at all during the writing process. The album represent a complete country girl from core to skin. The album compromises mostly of slow ballads, with occasional power ballads and up tempo tracks. '

Before I start of going on about different tracks, two tracks that I would particularly like to mention are 'Jesus, Take the Wheel' and 'Inside Your Heaven'. The latter being the winner's single of the fourth season of American Idol. Both of these tracks have a slighty influence of Christian music, and for Carrie's voice these songs are perfect. They are signature Carrie songs and no one can ever do it any better! So these two, I'd definitely recommend them to all.

'Wasted', 'Some Hearts' and 'Lessons Learned' are some of the faster track that stick to the country theme through out their running. 'Some Hearts' is a particular stand out from the three and is another song that I would recommend you to listen to. Sadly it does happen to be a released single but it happens to have no music video to go along with it.

Two other up tempo track that are present in the album happen to be 'Before He Cheats', 'I Ain't in Checotah Anymore' and 'We're Young and Beautiful'. The first song has a slighty influence of rock and the latter two have a tinge of pop. Amongst these three, 'Before He Cheats' is a phenomenon. If you haven't heard it, you have got to be living under a rock! Numerous Grammy nominations, numerous CMA nominations, a VMA nomination. This track propelled Underwood to heights that no Idol achieved from their debut album! Not even Clarkson, though I love Clarkson more than Underwood. But again then it's a personal opinion.

'Don't Forget to Remember Me', 'The Night Before (Life Goes On)', 'Starts With a Goodbye', 'I Just Can't Live a Lie', 'That's Where It Is' and 'Whenever You Remember Me' are the slower tracks of the album. But even then they won't put you to sleep. Underwood has the most amazing vocals on these beauties! They're full of emotions that tend to stir and shake the listener. 'Don't Forget To Remember Me' is a real gem, but my personal favorite track happens to be 'I Just Can't Live a Lie' amongst all of the forementioned track.

'Whenever You Remember' is also another special track for a very different reason. On our School Farewell Event, this track was chosen as a closing theme by the students as our out-going message. And if you're thinking that I had given that suggestion, then yes...you know me so well! ;)

Of all the album I've heard in '05, this one was the best! Every single track became my favorite and even though it's about to be four years since it's release, this album still is on my rack and I still listen to it!

Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)