Carrie Underwood "Carnival Ride" Sneak Peek Review

Carrie Underwood won season four American Idol, and has since then sold 6 million records of her debut album Some Heart, won Grammy Awards and countless other country awards. Two years since her first release, she is releasing her next record Carnival Ride. Powerful vocals and heartfelt songs, including four written by or with Carrie, make up the new LP.

Even though the lyrics are a bit unhappy, "Flat Out On The Floor" gets the record off to a good start. Carrie shows her country rock side singing about being down on her knees and she can't be pushed down anymore. The imagery of the song creates a very vivid picture in your head as she proudly sings "I'm hiding from the storm till the damage gets done/ Don't knock on my door." She takes a different turn on "All-American Girl." It reminds you of your high school crushes, being on the football team and falling in love with the right girl. Carrie takes the tradition of story-telling in country music and expresses it just as perfect as the greats of the genre such as Dolly or Reba.

"So Small", co-written by Carrie, is Carrie's first single off the record. Just taking a step back and looking at the big picture is the main theme of this song. However, not as lyrically as powerful as her previous hits, it sends a great message to her fans to just appreciate things for what they are.

Finally we hear Underwood's sweet vocals that captured our hearts in mid-2005. "Just A Dream" slows down the pace, while breaking every heart that hears this song. Rather there is a dual meaning to the song isn't defined, but from a first listen - someone has passed away and it's too hard to take for her. People are saying he isn't coming home and she was expecting to be with him forever, hoping this is all "just a dream."