Some Hearts (by Carrie Underwood, Country)

Unlike most of the debut albums by winners and runners up of American Idol, Carrie Underwood's SOME HEARTS appears to have been produced with expectations above and beyond marketing only to Idol fans. We already knew that the singing would be terrific, but the songwriting and production values are also first-class. The content is predictable and pretty tame -- a lot of heartbreak and lost love, a little Jesus, and one visceral woman-scorned song ("I dug my key into the side of his pretty little four-wheel drive...maybe next time he'll think before he cheats") make for typical country-pop fare without much message, or much risked.

The songs are strongly written, beautifully performed and produced, with that glossy veneer we're all so accustomed to hearing on country radio. If you were in the mood to nitpick, you might grow a little weary of that full-tilt, over-the-top delivery on song after song. But Underwood has a great voice, a lot of presence, and gives every song her all.

Released on: November 15, 2005
Label: Arista
Genre: Country