Play On [11/3] * by Carrie Underwood Review

It is my belief Carrie Underwood is the best singer to graduate from American Idol.  She has an almost perfect voice and the range of Celine Dion.  Loves ya Kelly.  Respects ya Adam.  But Carrie, she da man, er, woman.   She really showcases those gorgeous pipes of hers on Play On, her third and definitely most pop-leaning album yet.  Shania, watch your back.

And Ms Underwood went to the studio determined to hit a massive homerun this time.  She very nearly succeeds.  Bringing in the the ringers, like producers Mike Elizondo and Max Martin along with writers Brett James, Tom Shapiro, and Paul Overstreet,  Carrie presents us with an eclectic group of songs that sometimes feels like pandering but mostly feels like a nice variety.

Kicking things off with her already huge radio hit, Cowboy Casanova, Elizondo imparts a juiced-up dance hall flavor that sounds like an attempt to bring back line-dancing.  With Underwood's booming vocals, this "warning" song is sure to have urban cowboys and cowgirls kicking up their heels on dance floors everywhere.

If you thought the first tune set the tone for the album, song number 2 will surprise you. Quitter is a breezy little country-popish tune that relies more on Carrie's  considerable charm to tell the story of a woman who's made so many wrong man-choices she just assumes she will eventually leave this relationship, too.  But, maybe this time she's found the one.

Her sincerity can't make up for the lameness that is Mama's Song, a ballad Underwood co-wrote with Kara DioGuardi that instead comes off as another of those slick American Idol penned tunes that tries to tug at the heart strings but winds up triggering the gag reflex.  It's not really a horrible song, but it doesn't do justice to the other songs on the album.

One ballad bears witness to Ms Underwood's social consciousness, the message of Change being that, "yes, you can make a difference even if it seems a small gesture to you".

Temporary Home has a strong spiritual message, as this tender ballad not only showcases Carrie's softer side, but reminds us the earth is just  stopping off point.

She steps into her rocker boots on Undo It, a sassy, kick-that-user to the curb anthem, also co-written by DioGuardi, that will stay in your head long after you hear it, as she wants to "uh-uh-uh-u-uh-uh Undo it!"

Back to her country roots, Ms Underwood just might bring the tears as she grieves over lost love on Someday When I Stop Loving You and she gets her clap and foot stomp on (you will, too) Songs Like This, which might be Before He Cheats, part II.

Unapologize finds her unexpectedly baring her emotions, trying to take it back then coming to terms with it.  None us has ever done that, right?

What Can I Say features the country band Sons of Sylvia in perfect harmony with Carrie's vocals and it relatable to all of us.  Expressing regret, not that the relationship ended, but the way she ended it.  It's a demon we've all fought, but often never conquered because, "it's like trying to spin the world the other way".

THE BOTTOM LINE

Play On is a fine addition the the Carrie Underwood catalog and being her third high quality album, gives a sense that she is here for the long haul.  With an eclectic mix of a little sumpm' sumpm' for everyone, the new album is sure to be in heavy rotation in a lot of folks CD changer and on their IPods and is chock full of song sure go get lots of spins at radio.  Ms Underwood has the best pipes around, movie star looks and a likeabilty factory you just can't fake.  Wanna know who is the likely successor to Reba and Dolly as the queen of country music?  She's right here.  GRADE: B+