For those who think they know what to expect from Carrie Underwood on her fourth album, prepare to be "Blown Away." Co-writing eight of the 14 tracks, Underwood delivers her most adventurous album yet, tackling a variety of emotional topics, including abuse, infidelity, revenge and regret. It's been nearly two and a half years since Underwood's last album, 2009's "Play On." Since then she married NHL star Mike Fisher, but anyone expecting a collection of happily-ever-after love songs will instead find songs that draw from a deeper, more colorful well.
In two of the first three tracks, villainous characters meet their demise courtesy of the folks they've wronged. Of course, the whole album isn't dark and sinister. "Blown Away" is a rich tapestry reflecting the complexities of the human condition, from the poignant "Forever Changed" to the upbeat island-flavored "One Way Ticket" and the sassy lead single "Good Girl". Underwood's voice is a force of nature. She belts the rockin' tunes with power and conviction, yet is equally compelling on the softer emotional ballads. In an already impressive, multi-platinum career, "Blown Away" is a landmark achievement....Read the rest of the review.
