Carrie Underwood “Play On”
Standouts - “Cowboy Casanova,” “What Can I Say”

Carrie Underwood opens her third album with an audacious stomper, “Cowboy Casanova,” a put-down of a playboy that slyly references a famous quarterback Underwood briefly dated. But everything else about the bold, sassy tune looks forward, a reflection of “Play On,” which aims to illustrate Underwood’s maturation and growth. Underwood looks to expand her boundaries on “Play On.” She brings in several successful pop songwriters, including “Idol” judge Kara DioGuardi and hip-hop specialist Mike Elizondo (Eminem, 50 Cent). In the end, this tremendously gifted singer proves she can move in several directions while always sounding like she’s moving forward.