Album Review: Miranda Lambert – Revolution
While Miranda Lambert’s debut album Kerosene offered a refreshing burst of artistic exuberance and a relative disregard for the conventions and methods employed by her then would-be peers, the album suffered from a certain narrative naivety and a notable lack of artistic refinement. With her sophomore effort, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Lambert brought her artistic vision into clearer focus on an album that showcased a young woman who was a bit more road-weary and a hell of a lot less blindly optimistic than when she began her musical journey.
Despite it’s near universal critical acclaim, however, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend was mired in a struggle between the firepower and aggression that had come to define Lambert’s image (and which underscored a considerable portion of her songwriting) and abstract meanderings through a string of love and heartbreak ballads. Those ballads came off as largely esoteric, and while the album provided a degree of irreverence and rebellion that country music has been lacking in recent years, it nonetheless seemed like an incomplete artistic statement–one on which Lambert failed to fully realize her potential and utilize her multi-dimensional talent.
Revolution finally brings all of these conflicting issues into balance, resulting in Lambert’s most even and satisfying disc to date. Now fully evolved as a vocalist and showcasing significantly matured songwriting skills, here she mostly avoids shooting people and burning things, instead choosing to focus on deconstructing the emotional core of her anger, her frustration and—perhaps most strikingly—her happiness (an emotion notably absent from her two previous efforts).
It can’t be overstated that Lambert’s songwriting has taken a huge step forward since Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, a record on which even her best songs lacked definition and clarity. Revolution is 15 songs deep, and each of those 15 are fully-formed stories that stick, thanks to Lambert’s deft lyrical strokes and her willingness to write candidly about both her personal strengths and shortcomings. “Love Song,” co-penned by Blake Shelton, Dave Haywood and Charles Kelly is Lambert’s most mature and accessible ballad yet, while singles “Dead Flowers” and “White Liar” are satisfying peeks into love in transition.
Lambert’s movement away from the “attitude songs” for which she may be most well-known makes way for perhaps the most satisfying aspect of Revolution–the fact that we actually get to feel some of the personality that was previously obstructed by her need to prove herself a bad girl. Lambert’s wry humor shines on “Only Prettier,” a wonderfully playful ditty that stands well outside country music’s typical thematic boundaries. Likewise, the early middle-section of the album showcases a quirky trifecta of two-and-a-half minute songs that feels somewhat like a series of character sketches and serves as an experiential romp through some of country music’s most intriguing possibilities. “Me And Your Cigarettes,” “Maintain The Pain” and “Airstream Song” each build on different influences (ranging from respectful pop-country to a subtle nod to the Bakersfield sound), yet fit together surprisingly snugly, a seven-minute subset that adds depth to a long album that never outwears its welcome.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend was, by all accounts, a record that demanded (and demanded loudly) attention. Revolution is a more sensitive, quiet and nuanced album that is all the more satisfying for those qualities. For the first time in her career, Lambert is the storyteller that many have always believed she could be, and more often than not the material on Revolution is so far beyond her past work that it would hardly fit on those earlier albums.
This truth is especially highlighted by “The House That Built Me,” Revolution’s finest track—and one which, ironically, Lambert didn’t write. Penned by Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin, the song finds Lambert going back her childhood home, remembering how the gravity of the place shaped her. As great as the song is, it’s Lambert’s restrained and beautifully emotive vocal performance that makes it so completely moving.
If Revolution lacks anything, it is due to the fact that producers Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke are unable to match Lambert’s greatness. At times, the album’s production is too full, too generic and too layered. This is mostly true on the album’s more rocking tracks, where the arrangements sometimes seem sloppy, and where the playing often lacks character. The greatest artists, bands and producers approach the recording of their music with an obsessive, often borderline-neurotic attention to detail, believing that every note that is sung or played must serve a purpose to deserve a place in the final recording. To those people, the music is sacred, and timeless, and powerful. Occasionally on Revolution, there is a frustrating lack of that attention to detail, a fact which betrays Lambert’s commitment to her art.
Fortunately, those instances are only occasional, and the strength of Lambert’s singing and writing elevates those moments beyond the limitations of their production. To that end, Revolution fires on nearly all cylinders and hits nearly every mark, positioning itself as the best country record of the year and serving as a turning point in the career of a young woman who is, at this moment, country music’s most interesting and artistically relevant artist.
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Allen Shamblin // Blake Shelton // Charles Kelly // Dave Haywood // Frank Liddell // Mike Wrucke // Miranda Lambert // Tom Douglas
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September 29, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Thanks so much for this review. I always love your reviews. I’m a huge Ran fan and love “Revolution”. It’s definitly going to get her some much needed attention she deserves.
September 29, 2009 at 2:05 pm
I’m buying this in a few minutes… Now I can’t wait!
September 29, 2009 at 2:13 pm
I love the new cd it is the best cd to come out tis year. I hope it will become one of the top selling albums. She deserves it, she is a great singer! She needs to get more attention because she is really disereves to recognized for all her hard work over the years.
September 29, 2009 at 2:19 pm
I definitley agree about The House That Built Me…I almost cry everytime I hear it.
September 29, 2009 at 2:22 pm
This is a really great work, and its great that Rans finally getting the attention she deserves. Im sure this one will sell great, and hopefully radio will wake up now too! Great job on the review Jim :)
September 29, 2009 at 2:30 pm
I heard “White Liar” on the radio last week. It’s the first Miranda Lambert song I’ve even remotely liked since “Me and Charlie Talking”. Would like to hear “The House That Built Me” because Allen Shamblin is a damn good writer. (Wont buy it just to hear it though).
September 29, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Well, go listen to it: http://tinyurl.com/yef97lt
September 29, 2009 at 2:41 pm
I listened to the full album today before reading this and the only thing I was disappointed about was the production. So I pretty much agree with you on this review!
September 29, 2009 at 2:44 pm
I havent listened to it yet, but I already know whats getting my “album cover of the year” vote…
September 29, 2009 at 2:51 pm
I’m still waiting for a chance to sit down with this album and give it my full attention. I will say, however, that “Me and Charlie Talking” is the song that made me think I didn’t like Lambert at all for a couple years.
September 29, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Funny you say that Leeann because when I first heard Miranda on the radio with “Me and Charlie Talking” I couldn’t stand that song and I disliked her because of it. Shortly after that though I started becoming interested in her (I forget why) and I decided to buy her 1st CD on a whim. I instantly fell in love with the CD and I’ve been a big fan ever since. Now she’s one of my favorite artists.
September 29, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Good review – I largely agree with your review although I would give this “only” four stars. I’ve heard about a half dozen better albums this year, but this is likely in my top ten for the year, and it is nice to hear her mature as a songwriter. As several have noted, the production could be streamlined to great advantage
September 29, 2009 at 3:23 pm
@ Chris N – thanks! I’ll listen tonight. Myspace is blocked here at work.
September 29, 2009 at 4:18 pm
I picked this up as soon as I got home from school today =) Thanks for making another brilliant album Miranda, keep ‘em comin’ better n’ better
September 29, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Very well-reasoned review. Had my first full listen-through today, and I agree it’s her most balanced and cohesive set and that the ballads, especially, are much more accessible. I don’t care much for “Love Song,” though – it has a simple-mindedness to it that the rest of the album doesn’t share.
I will say that I think Chris N. was dead-on about the abundance of over-compression and clipping on this album. Most of the ‘rocking’ tracks start to feel monotonous or irritating even when the music itself isn’t, all because of bad sound engineering. I hope that aspect of the record gets enough attention to have Nashville take notice, because this music really deserves better.
September 29, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Spot on review. It’s definitely one of the best mainstream albums of the year, and probably one of the best overall.
September 29, 2009 at 5:46 pm
I agree with Dan, right down to his thought on “Love Song.” I have trouble getting over the sound thing too. Thanks Chris N. I’ll never know if I would have noticed it on my own…but I do now.
September 29, 2009 at 5:51 pm
ok, i just went through the whole thing. i really dig it. the way she effectively rocks out witout sounding like def lepard – and still being, ya know, country – makes me think that she has beat the rest of “modern country” at their own game…
September 29, 2009 at 6:06 pm
I went to the show at the Ryman last week, and absolutely loved the show and the album. Like most people of said here, I thought it was a great mix of her personality.
September 29, 2009 at 6:53 pm
I have to dissent about the production – I think it’s fantastic, and what you’re viewing as sloppiness I find incredibly refreshing. It actually sounds like real musicians playing together, not the typical sterile, layered production. The bass really pops out of the stereo too – played with a pick by the sound of it.
It’s funny to think this would’ve been considered a mainstream rock record if it had been released 35 years ago, but is likely too country for country radio today.
And that John Prine cover kicks ass!
Shame about the clipping though. Whoever’s responsible should be ashamed of themselves.
September 29, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Seriously, I give it 5 stars Hell Yeah. By far the best album all year!!!!!!! Although I enjoyed her first two albums, this one for me really shows everything she has to offer from her art to her vocal chops and for the first time I think she is a gem in today’s country music scene.
September 29, 2009 at 7:46 pm
This is definitely the best album of the year =)
September 29, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Thanks so much, Jim, for the well thought out review. Glad to see you gave this one a high rating. It would definitely get my vote for album of the year.
September 29, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Bought this album today on my lunch break. Completely amazing, for sure her best work yet! Agreed that “the house that built me” is the best track, although “Virginia bluebell” runs a close second… My 2 year old daughters pet name is bluebell because of her big blue eyes! Love it.. Amazing!
September 29, 2009 at 10:13 pm
This is definately Miranda’s best work artistically so far by a good bit, there is no filler on this album period!! My favorite tracks are “Only Prettier” (which if released as a single I believe will be a number 1), “House That Built Me” and the current single “White Liar” but as I said there isbn’t a bad song on the album. The one minor gripe I’ve got about the album is the sound issues many of you have previously brought up(which did sometimes distract me from fully losing myself in the music), but other than that this is near musical perfection!
September 29, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Bought this record on my way home from work tonight, and have listened to it a couple of times. I have to agree with most of you. I think this record should be record of the year. The one thing I do disagree with is the production comments. I think the sound of the record and the playing is brilliant and refreshing; and I think it SHOWS her commitment to her art. I am always disappointed by the sterile records that Nashville tends to produce. It’s nice to see an artist “step outside the box.” I really think if Hank Williams was alive he would give this production, playing, and overall album 2 thumbs up!
September 29, 2009 at 11:35 pm
This review just got plugged in the Headline Country twitter feed:
http://twitter.com/HeadlineCountry
September 30, 2009 at 12:14 am
Picked up the disc off IT tonight and love it even after just one listen. I’m a fan strictly on the basis of her being “Anti-Underwood” et al, but it goes so far beyond that.
The maturity on this disc is intoxicating.
September 30, 2009 at 1:44 am
Really liking this album – everything about it- great lyrics.
September 30, 2009 at 1:46 am
What I find most respectful about Miranda’s music is her ability to make being Left of Center look so appealing, and she does it so non nonchalantly.
Revolution is certainly worthy of a Best Album of the Year nod, as well as a Grammy nod IMO, overall the album is very cohesive!
I had the pleasure of hearing this album live at the Ryman, trust me the studio version doesn’t go it justice, her delivery of The House That Built Me was beyond exceptional. I a totally amazed at the depth of her talent.
September 30, 2009 at 5:24 am
The maturity on this disc is intoxicating.
That is best summation of this record I’ve heard.
September 30, 2009 at 8:53 am
For my money “That’s The Way That The World Goes ‘Round” is something I can see Steve Earle duking it out a few years ago….absolutely love this CD – but agree with the clipping…grrrr.
September 30, 2009 at 9:04 am
I like it. Not 5 out of 5 or even 4.5 out of 5, but it doesn’t disappoint. The fast, aggressive, tongue-in-cheek Miranda just isn’t there on this album. Not that she doesn’t try, but the efforts are just weak (“That’s The Way The World Goes Round”, “Somewhere Trouble Don’t Go”, and “Maintain The Pain”), and the production is atrocious on them… aside from “Time To Get A Gun”, which I thought was okay. Not everything upbeat is lacking though, as stuff between the ballads and the rougher tracks are high points… such as “Me And Your Cigarettes” (my favorite song at this point), “White Liar”, and “Heart Like Mine”. The slower songs have always been my favorite side of her, and they’re also an upside to the disc. “Makin’ Plans”, “Airstream Song”, and “The House That Built Me” all have nice production and great vocals. Overall, a pretty solid and balanced album.
September 30, 2009 at 9:33 am
This album is fantastic – The best from Miranda yet! She sings about everything I have ever felt.
This album has developed into something that I have never heard from Miranda before. She is definitely “maturing” as an artist and a fabulous young woman. I can’t give it enough praise.
September 30, 2009 at 11:21 am
@Steve Harve – thanks bro!
September 30, 2009 at 11:36 am
I just had my first listen to this album too and I have to say I am seriously impressed. Totally agree about the production – I thought I had my sound settings messed up at first when all those layers hit on ‘Only Prettier’. Still one of the finest, if not the finest, record of the year by my standards. One of my favorite aspects about Miranda Lambert as a songwriter is how she takes so many one-liners and makes a cohesive song out of it. This is chock full of interesting one-liners, one right after the other.
September 30, 2009 at 12:08 pm
I don’t like the change to the John Prine lyrics though. They don’t really make much sense.
September 30, 2009 at 3:18 pm
I got this cd yesturday and i love the cd!! Its by far one of my favorite cds to come out this year! I agree with other people who said they liked the balance of rock songs and the slower songs. I love how she is able to balance that and that in turn shows a stronger side to her personality than “Crazy Ex” and “Kerosene” did. My favorite songs on the cd are “White Liar”, “Only Prettier”, “Me and Your Cigarettes”, “Maintain the Pain”, “Makin Plans”, “Time to Get a Gun”"Somewhere Trouble Don’t Go”,”The House that Built Me” and “Heart Like Mine”. I also agree that Miranda has grown in leaps and bounds in her songwriting and i am so glad to have another cd by such a talented artist!!
September 30, 2009 at 4:10 pm
I have loved Miranda ever since “Me and Charlie” and continue to be a huge fan. This CD is fantastic and Miranda is an incredible artist. “Dead Flowers” is stunning and “The House that Built Me” reminds me of my own life. It’s a very powerful song. Great review!!!
September 30, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Fantastic album. I bought it after streaming it online. I am now looking for Miranda tickets if she comes to San Diego. “The House That Built Me” is in a league of it’s own – just amazing.
September 30, 2009 at 10:14 pm
I agree with most of this article accept for this – I thought kerosene was a beautifully crafted album that lacked nothing.
September 30, 2009 at 10:20 pm
twitter.com/zaynjones
myspace.com/zaynjones
Brilliant. There are three country records I would consider brilliant. All three are from Miranda Lambert. Nashville.. take a damn lesson from her!!!!!! I see a well-deserved Grammy with your name on it. You’re in a world of your own!
October 3, 2009 at 6:07 am
OMG couldn’t disagree more. Miranda Lambert has taken a huge step back and will pay dearly for it. There isn’t a song besides Dead Flowers that could possible make any noise on the charts. The only noise this CD will make is the noise from the absolutely horrible production of this CD.
What in the world was she thinking in trying to reinvent Jewel? The cover and back of the CD even look like Jewel!
Aside from Dead Flowers which indeed has already worn out its welcome, it took me until song 13 Sin Of Sin to find a Miranda Lambert song on the CD. I had to “next” through every song that started with a slow acoustic guitar all the way to song 13. What a waste!
Then when I saw some promise with Sin Of Sin, I lost it with song 14 “thats the way the world goes round” as it’s one of worst recorded songs I’ve heard in a long time. The sound is total mud and noise.
In a nutshell, don’t buy this garbage CD. I hope Miranda and her record company realize they have made a huge mistake and release a another in 6-8 months as George Strait seems to do.
This was just a major disappointment Miranda!!!!!
October 3, 2009 at 6:43 pm
I love this album. It’s one of my favorite albums across all genres. I heard it 9 times so far from beginning to end. Yes, the production is noisy on many of the otherwise very beautiful tracks (esp. Only Prettier, Maintain The Pain, and Heart Like Mine). However, what really got me hooked are the lyrics. I always loved Miranda Lambert but this album made me sure i will always love her!
A thing i noticed though is that many of the songs can be released to radio but none is a sure pick (unlike crazy ex-girlfriend where Gunpowder and Lead was a sure pick!
Favorite Songs:
1. Dead Flowers
2. The House That Built Me
3. Makin’ Plans
4. Heart Like Mine
5. White Liar
6. Only Prettier
7. Maintain The Pain
8. Time To Get A Gun
None of them looks like a safe definite top 10 release (though they should all be) but this is country radio :(
October 4, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Steve, im not sure how you can begin a serious review/comment with “OMG”. Anyway, i dont see the Jewel comment at all, and how can you say nothing will do better than DF on radio when White Liar already has, and is flying i might add. Also i dont see how Only Prettier and White Liar isnt “Miranda Style” but i guess thats just your opinion…
October 6, 2009 at 8:57 pm
I’ve downrated this to 3 stars based on the production. The first time I played the disc (which I borrowed from a friend) I played it on my PC to which I have attached some fairly lo-fi speakers, and it sounded fine. When I played this on my full stereo system the sonics were simply horrible. While I really liked some of the lyrics, the sonics are so bad that I cannot, in good conscience, recommend purchasing the disc
October 12, 2009 at 1:43 pm
I am worried for country music if she is considered a “gem.” She does have some quality songs, but to say she is a gem is like saying that John Rich is the spokesperson of country music.
October 12, 2009 at 7:12 pm
I love it.. I’d say my favorite song right now is prettier, but dead flowers is a close second… great cd.
October 14, 2009 at 10:54 am
Love the album, but please please stop referring to her as “Ran”!!
October 14, 2009 at 11:31 am
It’s “MirLam” now!
October 14, 2009 at 1:57 pm
What a wonderful album, great review as always, Jim ;-)
I was a bit baffled by the somewhat “crappy” production at first listen, too. But more and more, as Cane also stated above, I want to concede that maybe there was indeed intention to make everything sound rough, dirty, direct, “real” or rather: to LET it sound that way. After all, this is not a Taylor Swift album…
Well, either way, great music.
Btw, thanks again to everyone at the9513, you guys got me back into country music.
October 27, 2009 at 12:07 am
Does ‘Time to Get A Gun’ remind anyone else of ‘The Weight’?
October 31, 2009 at 9:45 am
However good the album may be, 35 cents was apparently spent on the album art.
November 3, 2009 at 1:42 pm
In all honesty, best I can give it is 3.5. I thought CeGF was an incredible breakthrough album, akin to Melissa Etheridge’s Brave & Crazy from the early 90s in its total breakaway from anything else similar, and absolutely GREAT singing and musicianship. This one, -meh- not so much. Her singing is probably the best its been yet on this record (her singing is greatly underrated), but there are 2 things missing: 1) some of her best stuff was the twangy old-style country (think Dry Town) and there is NONE of that here. She does it so well, I feel robbed! 2) Also setting her apart was her hard-rocking kick-ass side (CEG,Gunpowder, Kerosene etc etc etc) and it is missing here with the exception of 1 song. Many good songs on this record, few great ones except for maybe House that built Me and suprisingly Airstream Song which is WAAAYYYY too short. My God girl, let go and you and the guys just shut up and play some. I’ll keep maybe 5-6 of the 15 songs on my IPOD. CEG I couldn’t leave out a one. Nuff said.
November 20, 2009 at 9:33 am
Hey Miranda, I just wanted to tell you that I love your music. Like every song that you sing is my favorite song. Your CD’s never get old to me. Like I can listen to your music all day and never get tired of it. Keep up the good work.
-Danielle Elaine:)
November 20, 2009 at 9:39 am
MIRANDA, YOU ARE A GREAT SINGER AND I LOVE ALL YOUR SONGS. AND YOUR NEW SONG WHITE LIAR OMG! ITS SO GOOD. ALL OF YOUR SONGS ARE AWESOME THERE IS NOT ONE THAT I GET TIRED OF. YOU HAVE A GREAT THING GOIN FOR YOU SO JUST KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND I CANT WAIT TO LISTEN TO THE NEW CD!!!!!!! AND I CANT WAIT TO SEE YOU IN CONCERT !!!
MACIE BROOKE MCCLURE :)
November 20, 2009 at 10:09 am
Can we not shout? Why do teenagers feel the need to write all in caps?
November 20, 2009 at 10:24 am
Dear Miranda, I’m glad you started working for the 9513 and checking this page every day so I can communicate with you directly. OMG!
December 26, 2009 at 8:08 am
Got this CD for Christmas – I love it! My favorite tracks are “White Liar,” “Only Prettier,” “Time To Get A Gun,” “The House That Built Me,” and “That’s The Way The World Goes ‘Round.”
Great work, Miranda!
December 27, 2009 at 11:02 pm
I asked for this cd for Christmas and had only heard “White Liar” to date.
My first listen, I was a little disappointed because this is definitely different from the previous and predictable Mirana music that I’ve heard…but it’s Miranda Lambert, so I gave it a 2nd, 3rd, 4th —- 10th listen and I ABSOLUTELY love this cd.
January 11, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Another great singer/songwriter/performer. Miranda Lambert consistently puts out good albums. Kudos to her. I think she rocks and is my favorite female artist.
January 11, 2010 at 1:20 pm
P.S. Time To Get A Gun. Now that’s a song and I’d like to do it right now watching the arguing over Toby Keith’s songwriting ability by people who don’t even write songs. Now there’s something to get a gun about.
January 22, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Great review. I give it a 5. My favorites are White Liar, Only Prettier, Me and Your Cigarettes, Maintain the Pain, Airstream Song, Makin Plans, Time to Get a Gun, The House That Built Me, Heart Like Mine, and Sin for a Sin. But they’re are all great because there’s slow songs, good country songs, and a few southern rock sounding country songs, which is what I love. And White Liar has just became Miranda’s first Top 5 hit!
Loved the review.