New Music Tuesday: Carrie Underwood's latest, 'Play On' plays by the rules with expected results

November 3, 9:13 AMNashville Entertainment ExaminerJonathan Pinkerton

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Carrie Underwood's Play On in stores today/19/Arista

American Idol's Carrie Underwood has received more Grammy's than any other AI alum--a total of four including Best New Artist, she's been inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, is the reigning ACM Entertainer of The Year and is Idol's biggest selling country artist.  Today marks the release of Underwood's third studio album, Play On, her follow-up to 2007's Carnival Ride.

Much like Carnival Ride, Play On features a number of song co-written by Underwood herself--she share's co-writing credits on 7 of the 13 tracks.  Play On got a kick start on September 22  with the release of its lead single, Cowboy Casanova, a song on which Carrie shares writing credits with the expected Brett James and the unexpected...hip-hop producer, Mike Elizondo.  Brett penned Carrie's 2006 breakout hit, Jesus Take The Wheel, while Elizondo is primarily known for collaborations with the likes of Dr. Dre and Eminem, having co-written Eminem's mega-hit, The Real Slim Shady. On the surface, the double entendre track playfully warns against falling for a player with lyrics "He's like a curse, he's like a drug/You'll get addicted to his love/You wanna get out, but he's holding you down/'Cause you can't live without one more touch".  Of course those who follow Carrie's love life might read a bit more into the song, considering her ex is an actual cowboy, well a Dallas Cowboy that is, as she was once linked to blonde-loving quarterback Tony Romo.--Incidentally, Romo went from Carrie to then-country-singing blonde Jessica Simpson, and as of last moth was related to yet another blonde, Candice Crawford, younger sister to Gossip Girl's Chace Crawford.

By its title alone, Quitter, the next track might indicate Carrie's taking the Miranda Lambert approach to man-bashing, but a quick listen to the lyrics reveal a song of self doubt as she sings of being the Quitter as far as relationships are concerned.

Mama's Song is a sweet song written by Underwood, Luke Laird (who wrote several songs on Carnival Ride) and Idol judge and successful songwriter, Kara DioGuardi as well as Marti Frederiksen.  With that many songwriters, you'd think they'd have a hit.  Mama's Song tells the tale of a girl making it on her own and assuring her mother she'll be ok as she embarks on motherhood herself.  A sweet song, yes but it is a bit too reminiscent of another recent AI alum's homage to their mother, Kellie Pickler's 2007 CMA show-stopper, I Wonder.  Close, but no cigar, as Mama's Song doesn't pack the same punch as Pickler's tearjerker.

Fans needn't worry as Carrie is at her best when performing big ballads, and the next track, Change proves it.  Heavily punctuated by heart-string inducing swells of string instruments, Change is a power-ballad worthy of any 80s hair band.  If Idol is smart,they'll snag this one for their upcoming relaunch of Idol Gives Back.

Carrie teams with co-writer DioGuardi again on Undo It.  An uptempo ditty with twang and head bang.  Hmmmm...one can almost envision Taylor Swift performing this one.

Things slow down again on the next track, Someday When I Stop Loving You.  It is undying southern love storytelling at it's finest.  Written by Hillary Lindsey, Steve McEwan and Gordie Sampson, it starts off strong with lyrics "One foot on the bus 'bout half pass nine, I knew that you were leaving this time/I though about laying down in its path/Thinking that you might get off for that." This song exemplifies Carrie's maturity as a performer as it evokes thoughts of classic like Bonnie Raitt's I Can't Make You Love Me (If You Don't).

It's back to the country dance floor with Songs Like This, another singsongy fast track that is sure to be radio ready.  Let's just hope it's not too late in the year for this one to take off, as these types of songs typically fare much better in Summertime.

The one real disappointment on Play On comes next with Temporary Home.  Again co-written by Laird, Underwood and McEwan, the song is too sappy, too it's just gotta get better, just too much.  The tale of homelessness, accompanied by a maudlin melody just doesn't have the presence and strength of Change.

This Time again picks up the tempo and lays down the slick tracks so prevalent in country music today.  It's a hopeful yet lighthearted song about living in the moment perfectly illustrated by simple lyrics: "Life is short, love is sweet/Ain't no time like this time baby."

By now you've probably noticed a pattern, so you know it's time for another slow thoughtful ballad.  Look at Me tells of unconditional love backed by prerequisite fiddle and a soft but steady drum. Co-written by Jim Collins and Paul Overstreet, this one's sure to be a hit.  I was very excited to learn that Jim Collins co-wrote this song, as he wrote one of my all time favorite recent country songs, Gretchen Wilson's I Don't Feel Like Loving You Today.

Unapologize is next and as the title suggests, it's a song about a change of heart, but not what you might think.  This time she's changing her mind about lying about her true feelings.  This one is written by Chantal Keviazuk, Hillary Lindsay, Raine Maida and Carrie.

For What Can I Say, Carrie shares the vocal spotlight with Sons of Sylvia, three siblings who were formerly part of The Clark Family Experience.  The collaboration results in another of the project's strongest tracks.  Written by David Hodges, McEwan and Carrie, What Can I Say contains the stuff chick-flick soundtracks are made of.

In an interesting bit of song placement, Carrie saves the album title for last with Play On.  "Play on when you're losing the game/Play on 'cause your gonna make mistakes/ Its always worth the sacrifice even when you think you're wrong so play on play on".   No doubt Carrie's fans will take these lyrics to heart and put her newest release on repeat for some time to come.

As I mentioned yesterday, Carrie is in the midst of a media blitz as she promotes Play On.  Last night's appearance on The Late Show With David Letterman was followed this morning by a visit toGood Morning America.  Then on Thursday she will chat with Regis Philbin and Kelly Rippa on Live! with Regis and Kelly.  Next week, it's back to Nashville as she joins her CMA co-host, Brad Paisley,  for another GMA concert segment out front of the CMA Awards' venue, The Sommet Center on the day before the big event.  Then of course, it's inside the Sommet on November 11 as she and Paisley host the annual awards which will be telecast live on ABC.