What was Tony Romo Thinking?

I’m a big Carrie Underwood fan. There I said it.

For starters, Underwood has the same nose as Elvis. Check it out, it’s true. Underwood grew on me while watching American Idol a few years back when she saved us all by preventing “rock” clowns Bo and Constantine from winning. Not only was that good for rock & roll, it was great for Underwood. Like a lot of people, I fell for Underwood as I watched her struggle to be more than a stand in the same place country western singer before finally winning because she embraced being just that. From the start there has always been an easy approachability to Underwood and her music. Sure over the years they’ve fixed her hair and made her more glamorous but even today Underwood remains more Barbara Mandrell then Jessica Simpson. There’s a chambray shirt wholesome-ness to Underwood, you’d hire her to be your summer girl. It sets my mind at ease that my nine year old has Carrie Underwood on the top of the performers she would most like to see in concert.

From the moment the banjo kicks in on “Flat on the Floor” Carnival Ride is a classic country album. It’s filled with stories about love, leaving, and yes, dogs. A perfect example is the radio friendly narrative of “All-American Girl” about the dad who pined for a son before getting wrapped firmly wrapped around his new daughter’s finger.

Carnival Ride is truck tailgate music, wheelbarrow music, and watery beer music. If you’re a fan of new country icons like Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, and Kenny Chesney—you’ll like the Underwood record. I give Underwood a lot of credit on Carnival Ride as she really pushes her vocal. At times it feels like a stretch, but it’s clear she wants to let out her inner Janis. From a voice standpoint this works as Underwood is able to put up the big top vocal on songs like “Flat on the Floor.” What doesn’t’ work as well is when Underwood tries to be anything more than a sweet All-American Girl herself. On “Last Name” she does her best Gretchen Wilson impression trying to convince us she’s had too many Cuervos and woke up hitched in Vegas. The trouble is Underwood is more Barbie than Bratz so just like playing dress-up on Idol a few years back it doesn’t’ work for her. That said, “Last Name” is an extremely catchy little tune that will have you singing along and will likely be a single. It just doesn’t feel real coming from Underwood.

Underwood sounds a lot more comfortable out of the honky-tonk and out on the green grass or dusty open road. Songs like “You Won’t Find This” are big, optimistic ballads that showcase her hearty sound. “So Small” is the defining song on the album. A big breath ballad that leans spiritual, “So Small” is sure to be embraced by country radio with its universal message about time and priorities with lyrics like “when you figure out love is all that matters after all it sure makes everything else seem so small.” “Get Out of this Town,” is another great ride as Underwood is a one woman Dixie Chicks. Other songs like “I Know You Won’t” and “I Told You So” showcase Underwood’s dare I say Celine-like vocal chops but never materialize into infectious songs.

“The More Boys I Meet” is a great track that perfectly casts Underwood as Cinderella with its “close my eyes as I kiss that frog” narrative. The only thing that holds it back is the line in the chorus, “the more boys I meet the more I love my dog.” The lyric is so damn corny it makes me wince like when I see a grown adult bringing a stuffed animal on an airplane ride.

Most of us Midwesterners have a soft spot for country music. It sounds good in big trucks on flat roads. Make no mistake Carrie Underwood’s Carnival Ride is not a great country record. Michelob Golden Light isn’t a great beer either. But both will do the trick on your next sunny day in the backyard.