Sean
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Joined: December 2011
Posts: 6,642 
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Post by Sean on Oct 25, 2015 17:30:10 GMT -5
Highlights: the whole album. Lowlights: when you hit the last second of the album and you have to get up to change your pants. So fucking true! Damn, this album is great! I've always loved Carrie. Her discography is one of a very few select artists that I love damn near every song. I've seen her multiple times live (including seeing her at the Opry which is a Holy experience in and of itself). She never ceases to amaze me. The ballads on this album are so truly special and amazing. Most of these songs seriously stopped me in my tracks. I've just stared at my computer screen because I'm in awe of what an incredible artist she is. In all seriousness though, "Choctaw County Affair" is one of those songs I never knew I needed, but now I thank God for it because my life is truly better after listening to it. Obsessed. |
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layne
Platinum Member
Joined: February 2011
Posts: 1,378 
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Post by layne on Oct 25, 2015 18:09:33 GMT -5
I thought with all the buzz about CCA I was going to love it. It to me was the most disappointing song on the Album. The song itself I like fine but I was really disappointed in Carries delivery of the song. It felt like she was just singing words to me and I didn't hear anything from her on this story that made it interesting or captivated me like past story songs from Carrie. I do hear it in Church Bells but just don't feel like she made CCA as captivating or interesting as she could have.
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someguy
Diamond Member
Joined: October 2003
Posts: 16,031
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Post by someguy on Oct 25, 2015 19:19:11 GMT -5
I've listened to the album a few times today, and "Choctaw County Affair" keeps getting better and better to me. Possibly my favourite Carrie song to date? It's probably too early to say that, but right now I'm loving it.
Here's how I would rank the album so far:
1. Choctaw County Affair
2. Dirty Laundry
3. What I Never Knew I Always Wanted
4. Church Bells
5. Renegade Runaway
6. Chaser
7. Heartbeat
8. The Girl You Think I Am
9. Mexico
10. Like I'll Never Love You Again
11. Smoke Break
12. Relapse
13. Clock Don't Stop
There's nothing bad on the album though. The last two on my list just don't stand out to me very much, but that could change with more listens to the album.
My album rankings:
1. Carnival Ride
2. Storyteller
3. Blown Away
4. Some Hearts
5. Play On
For the singles, I'm thinking:
1. Smoke Break
2. Renegade Runaway
3. Choctaw County Affair
4. Heartbeat
5. What I Never Knew I Always Wanted
It's too bad they wasted a single on "Smoke Break", but it even isn't a bad song....just not really lead single material considering what else is on the album.
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14887fan
Diamond Member
Joined: November 2013
Posts: 11,256
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Post by 14887fan on Oct 25, 2015 19:31:53 GMT -5
Not sure how I'd want the single releases to go, because there really are a lot of options on this album. They can go an all-rootsy route, a pop-Country route like Blown Away, or they could mix both, which could potentially paint a bit of a discombobulated representation of the album. Storyteller, to me, is extremely cohesive sonically, but as a whole listen. If someone were to play me 'Choctaw', "Chaser", "Heartbeat", 'What I Never Knew...', and "Clock Don't Stop", I'm not sure what I'd think of the album. But, as a whole, it works, and that's an awesome testament to the construction of the tracklisting, which is something I think she's really messed up with on her last two albums.
1. "Smoke Break" (I like it, but after hearing this whole album, if I had it my way, it wouldn't have ever been released.)
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2. "Dirty Laundry"
3. "Choctaw County Affair"
4. "Relapse"
5. "Church Bells"
(Hesitant to put a sixth because Lord knows if we'll even get five, but if we do somehow get six by some stretch of a miracle...) 6. "Renegade Runaway"
"Chaser" is one of my favorites on this album, but it's a Pop song. It'll be great on tour if she puts it in her setlist (CC: CARRIE, READ THIS), but she'd probably receive some hell if she put it out as a single just because it's got about as much Country flavor as The Band Perry's "Live Forever" (nobody comment on that, don't let this thread become a "Live Forever" single thread, part two). I think DL, CCA, "Relapse", CB, and RR would all be a really good way of throwing this album's skeleton to radio without alienating the sound that most people have become so familiar with when it comes to her music.
And I don't want "Heartbeat" as a single because it's cute but nowhere near as good as those other five songs I chose, thank you and good day.
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someguy
Diamond Member
Joined: October 2003
Posts: 16,031
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Post by someguy on Oct 25, 2015 19:37:54 GMT -5
I love a scenario in which "Dirty Laundry", "Church Bells" and "Choctaw County Affair" all get to be singles. Hopefully it happens that way.
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_adriano.
New Member
Joined: December 2007
Posts: 382
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Post by _adriano. on Oct 25, 2015 19:53:11 GMT -5
I find it interesting that most of people seem to have "Carnival Ride" as their favorite album. I feel like it definitely has some great songs, but, in hindsight, I think the overproduction prevents it from being my favorite album. Blown Away is also great, but it has many songs that, even though they are not bad per se, I don't care for (TGFH, NETY, FC, OWT). I guess, then, I would say "Storyteller" ties "Some Hearts" as my favorite Carrie album, as of now.
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.indulgecountry
Diamond Member
Best Country Poster 2011, 2017, & 2018
"You left a mark on my face // And brought a dozen red flags in a vase"
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Post by .indulgecountry on Oct 26, 2015 10:24:58 GMT -5
This might be my favorite album of Carrie's now because it is so freaking consistent and solid (something that can't be said of most of them...). It was Some Hearts but I think this one might have the edge on her debut for me. I just love this record and it's really hard to play favorites on it, which is something I found easy to do on all of her other albums because there were always big standouts and also songs I didn't really care much for, but everything is honestly pretty good here.
For singles, I'd prefer some combination of tracks 1-6 seeing releases. I hope she goes at least 5 deep on this record because she's way too big of a star to ever stop at 4 singles, imo (I especially felt that about the Blown Away era). But I'd most like to see something along the lines of this for the remaining singles:
2. Renegade Runaway
3. Heartbeat
4. Choctaw County Affair
5. Church Bells
I'd be fine with "Dirty Laundry" as well, especially if they went 6-deep, but I'm expecting her to stop at 5 singles (hopefully not 4 again). I definitely want all of those 4 I listed to be singles, regardless of the order. <3
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2015 10:27:31 GMT -5
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Kat5Kind
Gold Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 768
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Post by Kat5Kind on Oct 26, 2015 10:29:48 GMT -5
They're not a fan of anything, so this doesn't surprise me a bit. |
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2015 10:33:37 GMT -5
They're not a fan of anything, so this doesn't surprise me a bit. He (Trigger who runs the site) has given high praise to Maddie & Tae, Kacey Musgraves, Jana Kramer I Got The Boy, She Don't Love You by Eric Paslay. He also gave a nice review of Dirt from FGL has given praise to Jon Pardi so there is some mainstream he likes but I did find this review to be rather scathing. |
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leilamaurizia
6x Platinum Member
Joined: December 2005
Posts: 6,760
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Post by leilamaurizia on Oct 26, 2015 10:42:05 GMT -5
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.indulgecountry
Diamond Member
Best Country Poster 2011, 2017, & 2018
"You left a mark on my face // And brought a dozen red flags in a vase"
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Post by .indulgecountry on Oct 26, 2015 10:46:52 GMT -5
They're not a fan of anything, so this doesn't surprise me a bit. He (Trigger who runs the site) has given high praise to Maddie & Tae, Kacey Musgraves, Jana Kramer I Got The Boy, She Don't Love You by Eric Paslay. He also gave a nice review of Dirt from FGL has given praise to Jon Pardi so there is some mainstream he likes but I did find this review to be rather scathing. No amount of praise for those select few artists/songs that really deserve it for being standard-bearers for traditional elements in country music makes up for that site being a steaming load of garbage. It's not exactly what I'd put on a level with professional review sites; it's more like a blog for someone to make their crotchety anti-current country music rants public. |
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2015 11:17:03 GMT -5
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carrieidol1
Diamond Member
Joined: August 2007
Posts: 12,577
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Post by carrieidol1 on Oct 26, 2015 11:55:38 GMT -5
Your review is REALLY nice! :) |
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toomuchboy
6x Platinum Member
Joined: October 2012
Posts: 6,733
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Post by toomuchboy on Oct 26, 2015 12:29:19 GMT -5
1. "Dirty Laundry"
2. "Renegade Runaway"
3. "What I Never Knew I Always Wanted"
4. "Relapse"
5. "Heartbeat"
6. "Chaser"
7. "Mexico"
8. "Church Bells"
9. "Smoke Break"
10. "Like I'll Never Love You Again"
11. "Choctaw County Affair"
12. "The Girl You Think I Am"
13. "Clock Don't Stop"
1. Carnival Ride
2. Storyteller
3. Play On
4. Blown Away
5. Some Hearts
CR and Storyteller are the only albums I'm really a "fan" of; the others I take tracks from, but don't care for overall. Of course there's still a few songs I don't like here, which is why I put it below CR where I loved almost every song.
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2015 16:42:28 GMT -5
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matty005
3x Platinum Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,416
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Post by matty005 on Oct 26, 2015 20:43:08 GMT -5
I really like this album a lot. My 2 favorites are, "Church Bells," and "Choctaw Country Affair."
I never could fully get behind "Two Black Cadillacs" because I never felt like someone cheating on you justified murder. But I love "Church Bells" because there is more to the story and why it was, "deserved." I do wish CCA had one more verse to explain the story a little more, but it's a fantastic song nonetheless
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2015 22:35:54 GMT -5
I had to listen to this album a few times to let it sink in, but after having this album in heavy rotation since Tuesday, this is easily my favorite album of Carrie's since "Carnival Ride."
I thought "Some Hearts" and "Carnival Ride" were both excellent albums, but since those two records, Carrie has really lacked the consistency I've been craving from her..
That said, "Storyteller" absolutely delivered in the consistency department, and overall I'm extremely impressed with how musically diverse and tight this album is, which is something I was a bit apprehensive about when "Smoke Break" and "Heartbeat" came out.
I actually think ST works better as an album than a collection of individual songs, which is a testament to how strong it is overall.
The production is this album far and away Carrie's best, and although she experimented a bit on "Blown Away," I feel like this album is by far her most ambitious, and Jay Joyce really brought out something great in Carrie.
I feel like this is the first album that she's made that she managed to bridge the gap between old and new Carrie perfectly, and that's not something I've said regarding her past work. "Renegade Runaway" will appeal to fans of GG/CC, "Church Bells" will please fans of "Two Black Cadillacs," "Like I'll Never Love You Again" might appeal to fans who like traditionalist Carrie, etc.
The songwriting has its flaws, but for the most part, she delivered in that aspect more than she ever has as well, and it's great to see her telling both fictional and personal stories. Carrie (excuse the pun), is not only a great vocalist, but a great storyteller. You can listen to the way she delivers "Never Knew What I Always Wanted," "The Girl You Think I Am," "Mexico," etc. and Carrie can deliver any story exceptionally well.
The vocalist and interpreter she has grown into over 10 years really isn't comparable with 1005-2007 Carrie, which is really saying something, since she's always been a stellar vocalist.
Obviously "Blown Away" had bigger highlights, but since Carrie wanted to make an album with lots of stories and Country elements, I'm extremely impressed that she delivered her vision here.
One of my favorite things about Carrie is that she wants to push herself artistically, but yet she's somehow always firmly rooted in Country. There are no highlights akin to "Wine After Whiskey," "Two Black Cadillacs," or "Blown Away," but I respect/love Carrie just as much for giving us such a diverse album that fuses all of the best parts of her artistry together.
There are plenty of shades of her past work here, but I love that it's fused with grown up, mature
Carrie who has grown as an artist and vocalist. She put all of those things on this album, and it works seamlessly.
Rankings:
1. Renegade Runaway: I wasn't excited about this album until this was released as a promo single a few weeks ago, honestly. Perfect production, stellar vocals, and a perfect album opener.
Easily her best uptempo for me.
2. Dirty Laundry: I'm praying this is released as a single at some point, it's my favorite on the album right now. I think my favorite thing about it is that it's chocked full of attitude, but yet it still has a really laid-back vibe to it that is firmly rooted in Country instrumentation and storytelling.
3. Church Bells: Epic tune, the first verse reminds me so much of "Fancy" by Reba, it sets the tone so perfectly. The chorus is a bit bland in comparison to the incredible verses, but it's one of the best on the album. The story and the vocals are incredible, and of course, A+ to Carrie for rooting this firmly in Country music with that excellent instrumentation.
4. Heartbeat: I warmed up to this considerably once I heard the full album, but I still find it a bit bland lyrically, and there's nothing here that manages to make it that memorable. Carrie's voice is so soothing here, though, and I completely understand why so many people love these kinds of songs from her.
5. Smoke Break: I was iffy on this when it was released as the lead single, but I actually think it works really well on the album, and it's always a treat to hear Carrie trade the drama for telling "everyday" type of stories, because she excels in delivering both.
6. Choctaw County Affair: I'll be honest, I didn't know what to think the first time I heard this in full. The reviewers weren't exaggerating when it was mentioned this is completely different from anything she's done.
After repeated listens, though, it's quickly become a favorite, and lyrics are so cheeky and clever, I can't help but get sucked into the song.
7. Like I'll Never Love You Again: I can appreciate the classic Country theme and vocal here, but it's not a favorite. The lyrics are decent, but I find it a bit dull otherwise. I do like that Carrie released a few actual love songs this time around, though, because any that she has released probably had to be special to her in order for her to sing them. This will certainly appeal to those who crave "Classic Country Carrie" as well.
8. Chaser: Eh. I like parts of this tune, but the chorus really brings it down for me. Something about the overall feel of it just hasn't clicked for me yet.
9. Relapse: This is another one that I think will appeal to fans who crave "Classic Country Carrie," and I love the metaphor with alcohol and a tempting hookup.
I find the lack of melody to be a bit of a downer, but I could see it growing on me, since I find this one pretty good in the lyrical/vocal department.
10. Clock Don't Stop: This doesn't seem to be a favorite among most, but Carrie's vocals make the song for me. The clock don't staappp tickin' tickin' away" is almost urgent when she sings it, I love that. A few of the lyrics are cringe-inducing, but I love the vocals so much that I tend to gloss over it in the scheme of things.
11. The Girl You Think I Am: I was fully prepared to dislike this when I heard Carrie had included it on her album, but, man, did she prove me wrong. Her vocal performance is absolutely majestic. The second half of the song and the way she sings "All I want more than anything is to make you proud of me" and then exploding into that chorus gives me chills. If people still believe Carrie can't put her emotion on full display when delivering a lyric, this is one of those songs that should put that to rest.
12. Mexico: The true darkhorse of this record for me. An absolutely beastly vocal performance, dare I say some of her best on an album. I get lost in the power and fluidity of her voice when I listen to this.
Her vocals going into the guitar solo until the end are just fucking insane. Inhuman.
13. What I Never Knew I Always Wanted: Beautiful song, beautiful vocals. Carrie delivers her story her unlike she ever has before. As one reviewer put it "This is the perfect ending to her story."
Album rankings:
1. Carnival Ride
2. Storyteller
3. Blown Away
4. Some Hearts
5. Play Yawn not included
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LBTrocks
Diamond Member
Joined: September 2012
Posts: 17,172
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Post by LBTrocks on Oct 26, 2015 23:24:20 GMT -5
This album is fire!! I love most of the songs and Carrie's vocals are phenomenal, as usual.
Favorites include:
"Mexico"
"Choctaw County Affair"
"Church Bells"
"Renegade Runaway"
"Dirty Laundry"
"Clock Don't Stop"
"Relapse"
"Smoke Break"
"Chaser"
"What I Never Knew I Always Wanted"
So yeah basically the whole album lol.
On first listen, "Heartbeat," "The Girl You Think I Am," and "Like I'll Never Love You Again" are my least favorites, but they're still extremely good songs and the potential for me to fall in love with them going forward is definitely there. Carrie nailed this album!
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sbp17
8x Platinum Member
Joined: July 2005
Posts: 8,485
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Post by sbp17 on Oct 26, 2015 23:32:24 GMT -5
9. Relapse: This is another one that I think will appeal to fans who crave "Classic Country Carrie," and I love the metaphor with alcohol and a tempting hookup. I find the lack of melody to be a bit of a downer, but I could see it growing on me, since I find this one pretty good in the lyrical/vocal department. I enjoyed reading your review and music is certainly subjective but Relapse is your example of "classic country Carrie"? I love the song but Carrie is poppier than I thought if this is among the classic country songs in her catalogue. I think it is one of the least country songs she has ever recorded. |
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2015 13:21:28 GMT -5
9. Relapse: This is another one that I think will appeal to fans who crave "Classic Country Carrie," and I love the metaphor with alcohol and a tempting hookup. I find the lack of melody to be a bit of a downer, but I could see it growing on me, since I find this one pretty good in the lyrical/vocal department. I enjoyed reading your review and music is certainly subjective but Relapse is your example of "classic country Carrie"? I love the song but Carrie is poppier than I thought if this is among the classic country songs in her catalogue. I think it is one of the least country songs she has ever recorded. Admittedly, I only listened to "Like I'll Never Love You Again" once, and I never went back to it. I went back to it after reading this, though, and from a production standpoint, you could certainly argue that "Relapse" doesn't sound very Country.  But, I suppose what made me say that on first listen is the story is very lyrically rooted in Country music, and that's what made me say that on my first impression of the album. |
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trebor
4x Platinum Member
Rock this quiet, little country town
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Post by trebor on Nov 1, 2015 17:35:32 GMT -5
Crashes in at #1 in the Official United Kingdom Country Artists chart and new in at #13 on the main album chart. ["Blown Away" got to #11]
ARIA Country Albums Chart: #1 in Australia is confirmed. #4 on the main album chart
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14887fan
Diamond Member
Joined: November 2013
Posts: 11,256
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Post by 14887fan on Nov 1, 2015 18:54:08 GMT -5
This did surprisingly well internationally. Also debuted in Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Belgium, etc.
Do we know where BA debuted on the UK Albums chart upon its original release? I feel like I recall it's P eak coming after it had already been released and she later went over to promote it, surging it to #11. But I could be wrong. (Probably am, w/e.)
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carrieidol1
Diamond Member
Joined: August 2007
Posts: 12,577
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Post by carrieidol1 on Nov 1, 2015 18:56:26 GMT -5
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trebor
4x Platinum Member
Rock this quiet, little country town
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Post by trebor on Nov 2, 2015 7:17:26 GMT -5
Do we know where BA debuted on the UK Albums chart upon its original release? I feel like I recall it's P eak coming after it had already been released and she later went over to promote it, surging it to #11. But I could be wrong. (Probably am, w/e.) United Kingdom Official Albums Chart Top 100: Carrie Underwood: "Blown Away" June 24, 2012 - #11 - New July 1, 2012 - #38 - 2nd week July 8, 2012 - #66 - 3rd and final week |
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onebuffalo
Diamond Member
#LiteralLegender
I am One Buffalo.
Joined: June 2009
Posts: 26,614
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Post by onebuffalo on Nov 5, 2015 13:02:23 GMT -5
#1 selling country album in Canada!
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onebuffalo
Diamond Member
#LiteralLegender
I am One Buffalo.
Joined: June 2009
Posts: 26,614
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Post by onebuffalo on Nov 9, 2015 17:34:04 GMT -5
#2 country, #2 top 200 CD with 73,000 sold. Congratulations, Carrie Underwood!
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