AMG Review of Play On

Stephen Thomas Erlewine
All Music Guide

Carrie Underwood looks flat-out glamorous on the cover of Play On, which is a pretty fair indication of what awaits listeners on her third album. This is crossover pop pure and simple, whether it's the thundering rhythms on the Shania-styled strut "Cowboy Casanova," or the preponderance of power ballads. Many of these ballads are infused with social consciousness reminiscent of Idol Gives Back, and they're not the only AmIdol connection here, as Kara DioGuardi co-wrote with Underwood, who takes a much stronger presence as a writer here, co-authoring seven of the 13 songs. Play On particularly shines on the breezy "Quitter" and "This Time," songs built on solid melodies and delivered without flash, relying on craft and Underwood's considerable small-town charm.