Some Hearts by Carrie Underwood (CD, Nov-2005, Arista Records USA)

This CD is great. First, I was a little skeptical when Carrie Underwood's CD came out in what seemed like record time after her American Idol win. However it is proving to be a fantastic CD. The song Jesus Take the Wheel, makes me turn the radio up and sing every time but then so does Don't Forget to Remember Me and the Next Time He Cheats. Jesus Take the Wheel isn't so much a religious song as it is a stop and take stock of what it is going on in our life song. Don't Forget to Remember Me brings me back to when I first left home. Of course my situation was different but the bills were mine and I know I told my family I was fine even when I was eating peanut butter and bread sandwiches for every meal. The song I Ain't in Checotah Anymore lets us see a side of Carrie that may not come out in other songs. It is also a play on word for We're not in Kansas Anymore. It is cute and catchy. My final pick for this album was The Next Time He Cheats. Wow! That is a powerful song with lots of irony. It is also a complete turn around from some of her other songs. It just gives her more dimension. First, she is young, sweet, and sexy and then she shows that she has some backbone too! This album is a total product. The voice is there, the range is there, and the song choices are just ...'sweet'!