And don't be surprised to see this disc sell well. Fans of the show already know that Carrie has superior vocals and excellent vocal control This comes to be a great advantage on songs that lack a bit lyrically, such as While We're Young And Beautiful and the title track, Some Hearts. Both tracks are mediocre lyrically, and merely above average musically. However, even these tracks can't stop Carrie's vocals from stealing the show and creating a solid track in While We're Young And Beautiful and a truly catchy single in Some Hearts.
And, when the lyrics and music come together with those vocals in a great way, it creates some of the best tracks to be heard all year. The single that has been lighting up boards at country music stations nationwide is Jesus, Take The Wheel, which definitely shows off some great lyrics. Simple, soft and slow music lets the lyrics tell the story of a young girl driving home on Christmas Eve to see her family with a baby in her backseat and her need to let go and give Jesus control (Something she figures out after her car hits some ice and goes spinning down the road, having no control over her life or the baby's life). Carrie's vocals soar on this track and add a nice touch that takes listeners even deeper into the song. An excellent track, it is no wonder that Carrie led her career off with this track.
However, Jesus, Take The Wheel is far from the only great track on the disc. It may not even be the best track on the disc. It's certainly the favorite for the title, but it faces some heavy competition from songs like Wasted, That's Where It Is and I Ain't In Checotah Anymore. Wasted is likely not the track listeners might attribute the title to as a country song. The track talks about not spending life wasting time doing nothing with life and living to the fullest. The vocals and music make for a strong track to open the disc with. That's Where It Is is a more pop-based country track musically that allows Carrie's vocals to once again reach great heights. And the lyrics work well, creating your typical love song (In a midnight talk, in a morning kiss/When I'm in your arms, that's where it is) that somehow seems better. And the ode to her hometown, I Ain't In Checotah Anymore is certainly a different track. Musically, it begins as expected; a slower track to finish off the disc after another slower, more serious track. However, it quickly changes into an upbeat track about the differences in life after becoming a star and a cry for the simple pleasures (I'd rather be tipping cows in Tulsa/Than hailing cabs here in New York). And, of course, any track that mentions tipping cows should automatically be declared superb. Seriously though, the music is very country, and Carrie hit (and holds) some notes in this song that send chills down the spine.
Overall, Some Hearts shows a lot of different sides of Carrie's music. It's mix of infectious pop with "I'm sticking to my roots" country creates one solid disc (Heck, it even includes the "Seeking Revenge On A Cheater" track, Before He Cheats, which finds Carrie busting tailights and keying a guy's car). This disc is easily the most balanced debut effort from an American Idol contestant, and it definitely rivals Kelly's Breakaway in quality, and hopefully will in sales too.