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Featured Review:  Blown Away — Carrie Underwood
Blown Away — Carrie Underwood Review by The Seeker


I was at a party a couple of years ago when the subject of reality shows / talent contests came up. A particularly musically righteous individual stated unequivocally that nothing worthwhile ever came out of the show American Idol. I brought up Carrie Underwood, which my musical protagonist basically said that she proves her point. I passed on her statement as youthful ignorance and moved over to the next topic. Although before "Blown Away", I had not really listened to too much Underwood, what I had heard was solid, professional and strong. None of that prepared me for this though. Blown away was exactly what I was.

Carrie really epitomizes the term "new country", i.e. a little country and a lot of pop/rock. The single "Good Girl" really fits that description to a tee. It's a very catchy hard pop tune that the only thing that could possibly classify it as country is Carrie's voice and some of the harmonies. The hard rock guitar solo really makes this one hit hard. Should be a big top 40 hit. But, the real feel of the album kicks in with the next track "Blown Away". This one kicks just about as hard and is even less country. But it is a beautiful sad (but upbeat) song dealing with abuse and revenge. Unbelievable, Carrie is even able to kick this up even one more notch with the song "Two Black Cadillacs", which is an all-time epic tune that I won't soon forget. It is one of the most powerful and majestic dark songs that I have ever heard. It takes adultery to a whole other level beyond petty vandalism.

"See you again" changes the flavor a bit, but the quality doesn't dip one iota. It is a beautiful uplifting song about loved ones lost:

"I will see you again, this is not where it ends"
"I will carry you with me"
"Till I see you again"

The album does have more traditional country on it as well including the charming tunes "Good in Goodbye" and "Do you think about me", the sentimental "Thank God for Hometowns" and country pop "Nobody ever told you".

I didn't like the whole album however. "Forever changed" just kind of bored me and "One way ticket", an upbeat calypso style tune was just horribly horribly out of place on this album. Of course, since most folks don't listen to albums as a whole anymore, it might not matter. Moving back to the positive side, "Cupid's got a shotgun" is a shit kicking roller coaster romp of great lyrics and instrumental virtuosity with a great punch line. I don't have to check the credits to know that is is axe shredder Brad Paisley on this one. The album closes out with "Wine after whiskey" and the beautiful "Who are you". "Wine" which comparing among new country ballads is more than top notch and in fact, could be the best song on a lesser album.

It would be very possible that "Blown Away" could be the apex of Carrie Underwood's career.
 
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