Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Reviews are pouring in on Carrie Underwood’s new album, “Blown Away,” which hits stores today.

Not surprising since the former Idol is one of the most recognizable faces in country music.

But not all the reviews are complimentary and some criticize Carrie for lacking the authenticity of  … say a Miranda Lambert.

Not that it will matter.  I’ll be shocked if “Blown Away” doesn’t top both the Billboard 200 and the country albums chart when it debuts on those charts next week.

I’ve listened to the album three times through so far and would sum it up this way: Great opening, boring middle, strong close.  It includes some of my new favorite Carrie Underwood songs — the title track, “Cupid’s Got a Shotgun” and “Two Black Cadillacs” — but also might be my least favorite Carrie album.

Check back.  I’ll be adding links to more graded reviews as they are published.

People:   Gives Carrie 2.5 stars out of 4, saying her ” fourth album, Blown Away, comes on like a tornado with its first three songs. ”

Chicago Tribute Review:  Gives Carrie 3.5 stars out of 5, saying ” the skilled sweetness and sense of discovery that Underwood brings to her readings of even these predictable, slightly-above-average tunes can’t be underestimated.”

Salt Lake Tribune:   Gives Carrie a B-, saying “with a co-writing credit on 8 of the 14 tracks on her new album, Carrie Underwood has taken the reins on an album that shows a comfortable versatility in different styles.”

Slant Magazine:  Gives Carrie 3 stars out of 5, saying “had Carrie Underwood not been so grossly, globally overpraised right out of the gate, her fourth album, Blown Away, would stand a better chance of being received as the significant step forward it actually represents in the singer’s development.”

Los Angeles Times:   Gives Carrie 2 stars out of 4, saying ” the singer’s fourth album, has been described as a turn toward darkness from a singer who first topped the country chart with ‘Jesus, Take the Wheel.’  Mostly, though, ‘Blown Away’ finds her using her remarkable voice to deliver feel-good bromides.”

USA Today:   Gives Carrie 3 stars out of 4, saying the album “both reaffirms her natural gifts and makes us continue to root for her to push beyond them.”

Tampa Bay Times:   Gives Carrie a C, saying “cliche pleadings for lost love dominate Blown Away, which sounds a lot more Hollywood safe than Nashville tough. ”

The Associated Press:  No grade, but lukewarm review saying “unlike her peers Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift, Underwood hasn’t opened herself to fans through songs that reveal her personality; instead, she’s charged forward with a take-no-prisoners attitude that’s more about brassy, modern entertainment than connecting with fans on an intimate level.”

All-Music.com:  No grade, but says “this is Carrie’s wheelhouse — she’s meant to sing these oversized ballads and hooks, she’s meant to look as unattainable as she does on the cover. She’s meant to be be a superstar and she’s never seemed as comfortable with her calling as she does on ‘Blown Away’.”