Play On
by Carrie Underwood
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Nov 3, 2009
User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 141 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 80 out of 141
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 141
  3. Negative: 53 out of 141

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  1. Luci899
    Nov 8, 2018
    0
    What a gross album and her biggest flop. Every song is whinny and terribly written. Then again what do I expect from someone whose career was paid for.
  2. manningn15
    Sep 17, 2018
    9
    Carrie Underwood gave another great album but I liked her first two better. She continues to my favorite singer and to me the best country singer of all time and one of the best singers of all time. I loved the songs Temporary Home, Mama's Song, Cowboy Casanova, Play On, and Undo It. The music video for was very touching and beautifully done. I also loved the video for Cowboy Casanova isCarrie Underwood gave another great album but I liked her first two better. She continues to my favorite singer and to me the best country singer of all time and one of the best singers of all time. I loved the songs Temporary Home, Mama's Song, Cowboy Casanova, Play On, and Undo It. The music video for was very touching and beautifully done. I also loved the video for Cowboy Casanova is was very fun and well done. I loved the album cover with the daisies I thought it was very simple but very cute.… Expand
  3. madpaiva
    May 16, 2018
    10
    Play On is delicately inspiring and beautiful, with Carrie bringing once again beautiful and award-winning ballads. Play On is a real masterpiece.
  4. Ruthsmith1
    May 3, 2018
    10
    I Really Like It A Lots and It Was The Fun Album to Listen To Everyday and Week Ruth Smith
  5. 2pac4lyf3
    Sep 29, 2017
    0
    This album is seriously wack. 1st time that her praisin' god don't sound so inspirational. Too bad racists out in the boondocks won't give real music artists like 2Pac, Biggie, Nas, A Tribe Called Quest, Jay-Z, or even Kendrick Lamar a chance, because it's good for ya. Yourself and your soul. Not poptart crap like dis.
  6. noahmanning14
    Nov 24, 2016
    10
    As always Carrie Underwood is perfect on Play On. And just as the name says you will want to play it on and on. She soars especially high on the Christian track Temporary Home.
  7. guits13
    Aug 21, 2015
    8
    In my opinion, it is her best album. Amazing sonority and voice, a solid country album. But I also feel Carrie's lyrics lacks personality, everything is so bland and every single album from her discuss the same subjects, she needs to stand out a little more.
  8. Kanyonsmom0317
    Aug 18, 2014
    8
    Love this female singer...She's awesome...always have loved her music since she was on American Idol. ..She's got an amazing voice...have all her albums and singles
  9. Glitter
    Aug 30, 2013
    8
    Considered by some to this day as the worst album in Underwood's catalog, I beg to differ. Perhaps even to argue that is her greatest, and most praise worthy album? Harvesting a plethora of country-pop crossover gems that even Taylor Swift would seethe for, Play On is by far Underwood's most commercially accessible album to date. Cowboy Casanova, Quitter, This Time, Unapologize, SomedayConsidered by some to this day as the worst album in Underwood's catalog, I beg to differ. Perhaps even to argue that is her greatest, and most praise worthy album? Harvesting a plethora of country-pop crossover gems that even Taylor Swift would seethe for, Play On is by far Underwood's most commercially accessible album to date. Cowboy Casanova, Quitter, This Time, Unapologize, Someday When I Stop Loving You, and even the more-country boasting Songs Like This, all pleading to become earworms. The latter of which is the obligatory Before He Cheats clone, even rivals that classic with Underwood's sassy and snark vocal delivery. With ballads that beg for a bottle of tears through Mama's Song, Temporary Home, and even the album's weakest track, Change, there's enough diversity to appease everyone. Play On is certainly an album that crosses the border between Country and Pop for Underwood. And in doing so, it does not sacrifice quality, being as a superb achievement for an album.… Expand
  10. edwardmatias
    Feb 20, 2012
    10
    This is the sound of modernized country music with a touch of inspiring songs. No song will be wasted in this album. The vocals of Carrie Underwood is clearly set to be the new standard of country genre
  11. afinemess7
    Feb 21, 2011
    8
    this album make me confused in first time but years ago I very very love this album! She can sing can write and do it fine! great beginning for her writing.
  12. jessm
    Dec 2, 2009
    10
    Carrie's best album yet. Lyrically, musically, and vocally beautiful. What a fantastic piece of art.
  13. MattC.
    Nov 18, 2009
    4
    Carrie is making the mistake of going pop to try to crossover without remixing her songs, so in the end she loses what little country sound she had. Also her songs are pretty much do-overs of her last album, with the lyrics just switched around.
  14. MattS
    Nov 15, 2009
    10
    I understand why the score is so low - this album is definitely a grower and on first listen the album might not seem so perfect. But it is.
  15. SimonS
    Nov 12, 2009
    10
    First off some of the critics reviews were way to harsh! Sure this isnt the best album in the entire universe but in my opinion it is pretty good. I also dont think listening to the album once will really give you a good feel for it. I have listened to the album A LOT! I actually cant seem to stop playing it! I LOVE it! There are sometthings she could have done differently and listening First off some of the critics reviews were way to harsh! Sure this isnt the best album in the entire universe but in my opinion it is pretty good. I also dont think listening to the album once will really give you a good feel for it. I have listened to the album A LOT! I actually cant seem to stop playing it! I LOVE it! There are sometthings she could have done differently and listening to the demos I proably wouldnt have picked that exact song line up, but It is how it is. I still think this is a strong album. Carrie's voice is unbeatable! It just doesnt get any better then what she has! My personal favorites on this album are: "What Can I Say" (AMAZING!!!), "Cowboy Casanova", "Songs like This", "Someday When I Stop Loving You" and "Undo It"! Buy the album!!!… Expand
  16. TammyD
    Nov 10, 2009
    10
    A great mix of contemporary and traditional country.
  17. EstelleB
    Nov 9, 2009
    10
    Her voice is immaculate, her delivery heart-felt. The songs, personal favourite "What Can I Say", are just fantastic!
  18. EstebanO.
    Nov 9, 2009
    10
    Carrie made a great album...but not excellent! lyrics are so good!!
  19. ChristianH.
    Nov 8, 2009
    10
    Did this album really get a 58 rating? Wow, this is an amazing cd. The songs and that voice are just untouchable.
  20. WardB.
    Nov 7, 2009
    10
    Anyone who thinks that this isn't one fantastic album needs their head and ears examined. She just keeps getting better and better. I love it.
  21. MichaelW.
    Nov 7, 2009
    10
    Fantastic album Ms. Underwood. Do not listen to the haters! The critics have had it in for you since you Won American Idol because they are elitist snobs who don't consider Idol winners real artists. Tell that to your 4 grammys, Carrie, and laugh them all the way to the bank when you go 3x platinum once more. Congrats Carrie! Great album!
  22. Taryn
    Nov 7, 2009
    10
    Absolutely amazing album! Carrie's best album to date. Her vocals are just superb - best female country singer EVER!!
  23. GigiS.
    Nov 6, 2009
    10
    I love this album, Some Hearts is my least favorite of her cds, when i listen to the album i dont go all the way. I do like Before He Cheats and Some hearts and other tracks. Carnival Ride i can listen through the whole album because to me their was more variety and i loved the range in her voice in some songs. On Play On, Carrie doesnt seem like shes attempting to reach those high notes I love this album, Some Hearts is my least favorite of her cds, when i listen to the album i dont go all the way. I do like Before He Cheats and Some hearts and other tracks. Carnival Ride i can listen through the whole album because to me their was more variety and i loved the range in her voice in some songs. On Play On, Carrie doesnt seem like shes attempting to reach those high notes that we all know she can and do very well. I only LOVE a few songs of this album that i can listen to over and over again like Cowboy Casanova, Songs Like This, What Can I Say, Temporary Home, and Undo It. So i would have to rate this album at 7 out of 10. BUT its still worth buying it.… Expand
  24. LouS.
    Nov 6, 2009
    6
    A decent album though, but not better than Carnival Ride.
  25. JayK
    Nov 6, 2009
    10
    Never mind what the critics in their lofty chairs think or don't think; for them, Carrie will always be either too hot or too cold, too loud or too soft, too unemotional or too cheesy -- but never just right. But, if you're an everyday person looking for a diverse yet well-rounded album, PLAY ON is for you! Of all three albums released so far, this album will bring you closest Never mind what the critics in their lofty chairs think or don't think; for them, Carrie will always be either too hot or too cold, too loud or too soft, too unemotional or too cheesy -- but never just right. But, if you're an everyday person looking for a diverse yet well-rounded album, PLAY ON is for you! Of all three albums released so far, this album will bring you closest to Carrie's often guarded emotions. Besides Carrie's trademark sassy anthems like Cowboy Casanova or Songs Like This, rootsy tunes like Mama's Song, Temporary Home, and Someday When I Stop Loving You put a very personal and emotional dimension to this album. She pours out her emotions on song after song, sometimes restraining with gentle and subtle nuances, other times belting in her trademark golden tone. Wholesome Carrie has truly matured into a refined artist -- the girl with the golden hair and the golden voice. This is Carrie's strongest and most versatile album; and is a must have. It is truly a breath of fresh air.… Expand
  26. EricV
    Nov 5, 2009
    5
    Let me preface this by saying that I was one of those 'batshit insane' fans mentioned in the Slant review. I spent hours voting for her in the CMAs and I bashed her naysayers. With that said, I'm really dislike this CD. She's a great singer and she sings most of her songs really well, but that can only get you so far. The lyrics are unimaginative and lazy. Compound Let me preface this by saying that I was one of those 'batshit insane' fans mentioned in the Slant review. I spent hours voting for her in the CMAs and I bashed her naysayers. With that said, I'm really dislike this CD. She's a great singer and she sings most of her songs really well, but that can only get you so far. The lyrics are unimaginative and lazy. Compound that with the fact that this isn't a country album, but a 80s pop one and you have a recipe for disaster.… Expand
  27. MichaelS
    Nov 5, 2009
    10
    AMAZING ALBUM! Rock on Carrie!
  28. MattS.
    Nov 5, 2009
    10
    Absolutely fantastic...the reviewers don't even like country in the first place, only fake, weak voiced "prodigies" like Swift.
  29. FredR.
    Nov 5, 2009
    10
    The best Carrie Underwood album to date. It's a bushelful of future hit singles.
  30. DianneM
    Nov 5, 2009
    9
    This is a great CD and Carrie does it again!
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Awards & Rankings

28
#28 Most Discussed Album of 2009
90
#90 Most Shared Album of 2009

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
54

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. AllMusic
    50
    Carrie takes a much stronger presence as a writer here, co-authoring seven of the 13 songs, and she's attracted to hookless showstoppers designed to showcase her powerful voice, all glory notes with no glory. When she sticks to tunes written solely by the professionals, Play On does have some slick pleasures.
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  2. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    As always, her vocal ability is beyond reproach; a crack in the immaculately polished veneer, however, would be welcome too.
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  3. Los Angeles Times
    50
    Play On exhibits a distressing lack of dimension for a singer with Underwood's obvious abilities.
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