Album Review: Carrie Underwood – Greatest Hits: Decade #1
3 min read
It seems like just yesterday we heard a young Carrie underwood enter the hearts of thousands after winning the 2005 season of American Idol. However; what seems like just yesterday was actually 10 years ago, in that past decade Carrie has gone on to release four studio albums and has achieved 18 number one singles, 64 million albums sold and 95 major awards (including six Grammy’s). Now the country queen has decided to release a greatest hits album celebrating the last 10 years of her musical career. Spread over two discs Carrie’s Greatest Hits: Decade #1 features a long list of classic tracks taken from all four of her studio albums plus two brand new tracks.
Funnily enough those new tracks get the ball rolling appearing as the first two songs on disc one. Something In The Water which has already reached Number One on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart is an inspiring religious ballad that really highlights the singer/songwriters incredible passion. Carrie’s strong vocals on the albums second new track Little Toy Guns creates a vigorous atmosphere that fans old and new are going to love.
Carrie’s 2005 Idol winning single Inside your Heaven, the song that started it all makes its way onto Disc One much to fans delight I’m sure. Joining the milestone track on this disc is her touching hit Jesus, Take The Wheel off her 2005 debut album Some Hearts. Making an appearance from her second album Carnival Ride is the uplifting track So Small alongside the hard hitting joint that really packs a punch Last Name. Closing out Disc One is the slow heartfelt duet I Told You So which features big time country singer/songwriter Randy Travis.
Instead of just throwing together a bunch of her greatest tracks Carrie has carefully constructed this album by placing songs in chronological order. What I like about this method is you can hear the Country singer’s sound and style mature as the CD goes on. Disc Two delivers a number of great tracks off Carrie’s third album Play On. Cowboy Casanova & Undo It showcase Carrie’s somewhat funky side (as funky as you can get with country music) whilst Temporary Home and Mama’s Song portray her delicate and affectionate side.
Four tracks from Carrie’s last album Blown Away which was released back in 2012 appear on Disc Two and rightfully so. The modern and upbeat sounds of Good Girl & Blown Away really get this party started while tracks like Two Black Cadillac’s and See You Again show the tremendous transformation Carrie has undergone throughout her career. Also featuring on Disc Two are two tracks that didn’t emerge from any of Underwood’s previous albums, instead Remind Me comes from her collaboration with Brad Paisley on his 2011 album This Is Country Music whilst she also adds her incredible live performance of How Great Thou Art at ACM Presents: Girls Night Out alongside Vince Gill.
Carrie Underwood’s Greatest Hits: Decade #1 is a great starting point for people who haven’t heard of the talented singer before however; it’s also a must have for any Underwood fan. With two new songs and a long list of classic tracks that showcase the country queen’s transforming career there’s not much more you can ask for.
