I think where Carrie Underwood may have gone wrong when recording “Smoke Break” is that the song feels very much like she’s telling someone else’s story, when listening to it I don’t feel a connection to Carrie whatsoever. That may be the reason that “Smoke Break” kind of bombs, Carrie is a great Storyteller but I think her talent shines through much better when she’s invested in the story personally herself and the song felt clunky and forced as a result of the disconnect between her and the lyrics.
Her newly released song, “Heartbeat”, however sounds much more emotionally full, natural and cohesive. You can feel the emotion in her voice and she carries the song a whole lot more convincingly. By telling a story she can relate to much more it feels a whole lot more genuine and creates a song much more worthy of first single status than simply a buzz single for the album.
Carrie probably could have carried “Heartbeat” just as well by herself, but the backup singer on the song gives an extra dimension that brings everything together. It feels like they’re playing off of each other and creates a much better picture in the listener’s mind. Images start to appear much clearer of Carrie and this guy driving together at night and slow dancing once he is also given a voice.
Carrie’s voice is powerful as ever, emotive as ever and as beautiful as ever. My faith in “Storyteller” has ben renewed, I’m just hoping the rest of it is much more similar to “Heartbeat” than “Smoke Break”
8/10
XOXO,
Joshipgirl.
Joshipgirl 