CD Reviews- Miranda Lambert- Revolution

The Background:
Miranda Lambert, a two-time Grammy nominee has seen both of her previous albums debut at #1 on the Country Album Chart. Lambert wrote or co-wrote all but three of the 15 cuts on the album and worked with a cross-section of writers including Blake Shelton, Ashley Monroe, Natalie Hemby and Lady Antebellum's Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley, who lends background vocals on 'Love Song.' Of the three songs Lambert did not write, she pulled from the best and her favorites - John Prine, Julie Miller, Allen Shamblin and Tom Douglas to complete the album.

The Review:
Brilliant. The whole review could be boiled down to just that. Really. While Lambert's first two albums were full of firepower and redneck chick anthems- and were phenomenally outstanding CD’s in their own right- they were missing a mature emotional theme. She successfully created a tough girl persona that allowed her to stand out from the crowd of pretty blond Nashville wannabe stars and her vocal abilities and songwriting skills were never in doubt. But the hard rocking tunes like “Gunpowder and Lead” kept us from embracing the entirety of songwriter and artist. The hard exterior of the character of the songs she wrote/sang belied the tenderness of some of the ballads. That is not the case in 2009. On Revolution we have witnessed the birth of a real artist and one of the true treasures of Nashville. Miranda's spunky Texas tongue-in-cheek sarcasm is alive and well on "Only Prettier," “White Liar” and "That's the Way the World Goes Round." She is and can still be a badass at times- “Time To Get A Gun” and "Sin For A Sin." But this album marks the first time we really get a feeling of the softer side of Lambert. Her incredibly emotive voice, from the wistful whispers to the highest belted notes, shine an emotion previously unseen on tracks like “Virginia Bluebell,” “Dead Flowers,” and “Maintain The Pain.” The best track on the album is the gorgeous and haunting "The House That Built Me." The song finds Lambert traveling back her childhood home and waxing poetically about the place that shaped her. Lyrically, it’s almost perfect, and Lambert’s mellow vocal performance gives it a tenderness that would be lost by some of country music’s other vocal gymnists. Miranda Lambert proves that she’s one of country music’s Cinderellas. While beautiful, it’s not with looks. And while gorgeous, it’s not even entirely with her voice. It’s pen and persona. And with Revolution, she’s blossomed into the best in the business.

Sounds Like:
A Modern Day Rocking Loretta Lynn

Track Highlights (suggested iPod adds):
White Liar
Only Prettier
Dead Flowers
Time To Get A Gun
The House That Built Me
Love Song

The Verdict:
Four And A Half Stars Out Of Five