This was the album that really made me follow Carrie as an artist. I believe I joined the CMT message boards during the Just A Dream era. In hindsight it was really gutsy of her/ her team to release two ballads back to back but it really paid off for her. I'm ecstatic that she brought JAD back for the tour because although it was well appreciated during the CR era I felt somehow it became an underrated single for her as time passed.
Flat on the Floor- I hit this song on repeat soooo many times on my IPOD. I think it had my highest play count. I listened to it about three times before I listened to the rest of the album the first time. I never got tired of it and it seems like Carrie doesn't either because she brings it back frequently.
All American Girl- I remember reading reviews on this song after the JAD era, criticizing the song for being done before, while the subject matter has been covered before, it fit Carrie's story well so I felt it did its job well. I loved the music video too.
So Small- I remember what ever deal they had going on at the time where the video kept playing. Promo was a little too aggressive for my taste but hey it worked. This song I loved on first listen, then it fell in the background for me and then I started to love it again. I appreciate the big production because it fits the message of there being bigger issues in the world, and I liked the songwriter version where its all stripped because I like the contrast in message and production.
Get Out of This Town- Was my JAM. Loved the sweeping production. It was catchy it, it was light, the writing was concise. This was probably my second favorite uptempo behind FOTF (very high play count too)
Crazy Dreams- So, Carrie was kind of my gateway artist in to the country music world. I listened to a little Faith Hill here and there but other then that not much. At the time this was released, I felt it was too country for my ears and I felt bad because this was clearly Carrie's anthem. It wasn't until I started listening to more country music that this one would grow on me.
I Know You Won't and I Told You So- the album versions did not do much for me. When I heard them live, they took me to another place in completely different ways. I Know You Won't was a clear show-stopper and I would appreciate the lyrics when I got older. The duet of ITYS on American Idol was one of my favorite Carrie performances. The look, the song, the voices, everything about it was perfect.
Last Name- I think this song had high expectations because it was seen to be the BHC of this album, but if we are just talking about this song on its own its a really strong country rocker. I love the live performances of it and how much the band gets into it too when it is performed.
You Won't Find This- This is such an empowering song. Carrie has done songs with the intention of being empowering but this is done in a more subtle way. Just the confidence that the man in the song won't find anyone better than her and intertwined with a beautiful narrative, goosebumps.
The More Boys I Meet- I took myself to seriously when I heard this song so I didn't play it much when I first listened to it. When I came back to though maybe during the BA I really appreciated the production and humor behind it. Carrie really excelled at these light moments in the album.
Twisted- This song got lost in the shuffle for me. I didn't really have a strong feeling for it or against it then and I feel the same way now. Its fine and fits with the CR theme really well its just probably the only forgettable song for me on the album.
Wheel of the World- I loved this song, I think it was the perfect ending to the album. I also think the way Carrie experiments with her voice on this song was some foreshadowing for the Play On album. The chorus is repetitive but hypnotic and I feel Carrie's empathy really sells the song, which has always been one of Carrie's strengths.
I didn't mean to write this much but CR was the album that made me actually follow Carrie as an artist. I will try to respond to posts but want to post my initial thoughts.