You know about “American Idol” and its success stories: Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, Carrie Underwood.
But “Nashville Star” alum Miranda Lambert might just be the best of the bunch. (And I love both Clarkson and Underwood. Daughtry? Meh.)
Lambert, a 25-year-old Texan, was a finalist on the first season of “Star,” which is basically a country version of “Idol.” I haven’t heard her debut album, “Kerosene,” though it received solid reviews. But her sophomore album, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” was one of my favorite records of 2007.
I don’t connect with a lot of mainstream country music, but boy did I connect with “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.” It’s rootin’ and tootin’ and tough-talkin’ in spots, tender and vulnerable in others, and 100-percent engaging all the way through. Whether they’re upbeat or somber, the songs crackle with the same life and energy that the Nashville machine strips out of so much of its product.
You can hear four songs from “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” at Lambert’s MySpace. If you only have time to check out one, let me suggest that you find more time; they’re all great. (Psst: “Famous In A Small Town” and “Desperation”.)
Anyway, Lambert’s third album, “Revolution,” is due out tomorrow. The first single is called “Dead Flowers,” and it’s more of the same — vivid lyrics about a busted relationship delivered through big melodies — from Lambert. Here’s the video:
And here is a little promotional video Lambert made for the new album, which I’m mainly posting because it shows her singing “Time To Get A Gun,” a song written by Fred Eaglesmith, who played it and a whole bunch of other tunes at an excellent house concert in Sisters in May.
Again, Miranda Lambert’s “Revolution” comes out tomorrow. Unless you’re one of those folks who answer “What kind of music do you listen to?” with “Pretty much everything … except for country,” you should consider picking it up.
Tags: Miranda Lambert
Wish you would record more of Fred Eaglesmith. He is such a great songwriter. I love his music and all the covers that have been done. Please consider it. How about a whole album of Fred songs?