This American Idol champ, who knows a thing or two about overcoming long odds, urges fans to face fears and chase their own “Crazy Dreams.” She tells a friend to have faith, persevere in love and not fixate on what we can’t change (“So Small”). A single girl sticks to her high standards, demanding a guy who’s warm and loyal, not one who’s all hands (“The More Boys I Meet”). “Just a Dream” empathizes with young women crushed by the news that their men have made the ultimate sacrifice on the battlefield. As the “Wheel of the World” turns, life, death, joy and sorrow touch us all, and Underwood sees God as part of the equation. A sweet “All-American Girl” captures the hearts of her daddy and, eventually, the high school football star. The singer is clearly ashamed when tequila leads to consequences including a fling and an impulsive Vegas marriage to a guy whose “Last Name” she doesn’t know. Even so …
Young fans may only hear it as a warning not to drink too much. Ensnared in a “Twisted” romance, a woman concludes, “I’m gonna love you even if it’s wrong.” On “Get Out of This Town” a naive teen is packed and ready for her boyfriend to rescue her from trials (“If we drive fast enough, all our troubles will be long gone”). “You Won’t Find This” assumes that an ex will sleep with others.
Like any traveling amusement park, this small-town Carnival Ride is generally fun and safe, but also a little shaky and unstable in places—not unlike Carrie Underwood’s first CD. Inspect closely before letting teens climb aboard.
After spending more than two decades touring, directing, writing and producing for Christian theater and radio (most recently for Adventures in Odyssey, which he still contributes to), Bob joined the Plugged In staff to help us focus more heavily on video games. He is also one of our primary movie reviewers.
