Music Review | “My Savior” By Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood first shared her larger-than-life voice with the world on season four of American Idol in 2005. Unsurprisingly, Underwood went on to win the show and has spent the last nearly two decades as one of music’s most impressive and skillful vocalists.
Though she has spent her career in the country music realm, with songs like “Jesus Take The Wheel” and “Something In The Water,” Underwood has often brought elements of her faith into her music.
Now more than ever, that faith comes to the forefront of Underwood’s work with her first solely-Christian project, My Savior. Comprised of the classic hymns Carrie grew up singing in church, the 13-track album features timeless songs like “Victory In Jesus,” “The Old Rugged Cross,” “Blessed Assurance,” and “Just As I Am.”
The highlights on the record, Underwood’s soaring tender-yet-striking vocal abilities shine on “How Great Thou Art,” as well as the stunning “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” a duet with gospel music legend CeCe Winans.
“Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus,” featuring the perfectly-matched harmonies of Bear Rinehart of NEEDTOBREATHE, is well-crafted at every turn, followed suit by the reverent “I Surrender All” and “O How I Love Jesus.” Church favorites “Because He Lives,” “Softly And Tenderly,” and “Amazing Grace” round out the album.
All maintaining the traditional feel that has made these hymns stand the test of time, Underwood manages to put her own modern touch on each of these classic songs without losing one bit of their significant history. With its trifecta of ageless words, simple but stirring melodies, and Underwood’s first-class voice, My Savior is a flawless album from the beginning to end.
While there isn’t necessarily any new material for worship leaders to pull from in this project, all can take lessons from the genuine passion, intentional crafting and unmistakable heart for God that’s displayed in every song on My Savior.