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It was about 3 years ago on this very site that I shared my thoughts about a young Texas musician that had caught my eyes and ears with her self titled indie release, Miranda Lambert (see review at Miranda Lambert ).  Miranda Lambert was in her teens, then, and had been making the Texas singer/songwriter circuit for a couple of years.  She had talent, promise, strength, and plenty of family and fan support base.   She was enthusiastic and a pleasure to watch and listen.  She’s come far in a relatively short time.  Now she’s 22 and has a big Sony record contract.  What she isn’t is pretentious, arrogant, or air-headed.  This girl has stayed grounded and true to her music.  How many big recording companies give enough latitude to an unproven novice to write or co-write all but 1 song on a first major label release?  Answer:  Sony believes in Miranda Lambert enough to give that filly her head and let her run.  This little east Texas gal from Lindale is bucking ‘em all right out of their saddles.  She toured with Keith Urban this past year, had a “fired up” (literally) CMA performance, and will tour with George Strait in 2006.  And through all the heady glitz and glamour, she has resisted the Nash Vegas pull to become just another performing marionette.  You go girl! 

Her music has grown and matured, just as Miranda’s style and performance has polished.  Kerosene, the title cut, is a hard driving honky tonk style that is true to her roots.  With punch lines like:

“Forget your high society

I’m soakin’ it in kerosene

Light ‘em up and watch them burn.

Teach them what they need to learn

…….

Ain’t a rule that ain’t worth breaking

Well, I’m giving up on love

‘Cause love’s givin’ up on me.”

 Lambert and father, Rick, authored "Greyhound Bound for Nowhere", a traditional country ballad that rips out your heart strings with words like:

“Rain on the window makes me lonely

…..

The sun’s going down on my misery.

….

We’re all on a Greyhound bound for nowhere.”

 "New Strings" is an upbeat look at endings and new beginnings.  The best line is:

“But I have everything I’ll ever need

I got an old guitar and brand new set of strings.”

 "I Can’t Be Bothered", the only track not a Lambert tune, is solid country honky tonk.  The chorus is fantastic.

“I can’t be bothered to miss you anymore

Month 12, day 31, and hour 24

I used to think if I missed hard enough

You’d come back for sure

But I can’t be bothered now to miss you anymore.”

 "Bring Me Down" is a great collaboration, but a Texas accent doesn’t make it country.  This one is pure top 40s pop.  Nothing wrong with that; just don’t get confused. 

"Me and Charlie Talking" really hits the mark.  This one covers a topic that is straight from Lambert’s soul and it shines straight through.  A childhood love that she knows will soon fade.  The chorus really sums it up:

“So we treat our love like a firefly

Like it only gets to shine for a little while

Catch it in a Mason jar with holes in the top

And run like hell to show it off

Oh promises we made when we’d go walking, …

That’s just me and Charlie talking.”

" I Wanna Die" is a great slow rocker about a relationship that you know is bad, but from which you don’t want to walk away.  Not exactly the suicidal anthem the title implies. But about taking a leap, just ‘cause the leap itself is a rush.

“Yeah it’s so complicated

I love then I hate it

I’m laughin’; you’re cryin’

I’m livin’; your dyin’

I know you ain’t a liar

But you don’t tell the truth

…..

If you’re the death of me darlin’

I wanna die”

 "Mama, I’m Alright" is another sensitive right of passage tune.  The chorus has some great thoughts:

“…Her west dropped off in El Paso

And her north in Abilene

Mama I’m Okay out here

I’ve seen how hard the world can be

My step is sure and I know my name

I’m strong just like you prayed I’d be. 

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this installment of the progression of Miranda Lambert.  I’m proud that I can say I saw this coming.  It’s extremely satisfying that she’s stayed the true course of her music and continues to write from the Texas heart.  I look forward to the next step.

Written by Cheryl Arthur, December, 2005

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