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you know i was pleasantly surprised listening to Carrie Underwood’s new album Carnival Ride. after the huge crossover success of her debut album, Some Hearts, i would have thought the obvious choice for a follow-up for her would be something more pop sounding. but in a bold move, Underwood didn’t choose the easy way out and stayed true to the Nashville sound. i’m personally not a huge country music fan but I appreciate talent and listening to this album, one can easily recognize Underwood’s talent as a vocalist. She’s also stretching out as a songwriter as well, co-writing four songs on the Cd. but her big arena-filling voice is where it’s at and fortunately there are a good number of power ballads to be found on Carnival Ride including a personal favorite of mine titled “I Know You Won’t”. yes it’s melodramatic and the song could have easily gone to cheeze but the tastefully done instrumental arrangements along with her emotional vocal delivery take the simple tune to a whole ‘nother level. Have a listen to hear what i mean…

I Know You Won’t

I know you don’t mean to be mean to me ’cause when you want to
You can make me feel like we belong, we belong
Lately you make me feel all I am is a back-up plan
I’ll say I’m done and then you smile at me
and I’ll forget everything I said
I buy in to those eyes and into your lies..

You say you’ll call, but I know you
You say you’re coming home, but I know you
You say you’ll call, but I know you won’t
You say you’ll call, but I know you won’t

I wish you were where you’re supposed to be, close to me
But here I am just staring at this candle burning out
Still no sound..
No footsteps on my stairs, your voice anywhere..

With the album chock full of stellar tunes, Carnival Ride will probably go on to be as big or even surpass what Underwood’s multi-platinum Some Hearts did in sales. either way, it’s safe to say that Underwood’s here for the long haul.

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music, reviews by retroDan