With each of her first three albums having been multi-platinum number one records, Carrie Underwood arrives at her fourth with nothing more to prove. So when she front-loads Blown Away with explosive rock and pop-flavored tracks ("Good Girl," "Blown Away") that are more Pat Benatar than Patsy Cline, it's an aesthetic choice, not a career move. After all, in her American Idol days, Underwood did perform Benatar's "Love Is a Battlefield," in addition to Martina McBride tunes. Of course, the album has its share of earthy, mandolin-chugging songs, too, and since Underwood co-wrote most of this album it's clear the small-town Oklahoma gal hasn't abandoned her roots ("Thank God for Hometowns" drives that point home even further). By the time she launches into the country-reggae of "One Way Ticket" there's no question this album is 100% Carrie.
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