i also really love how you could tack i've got wheels onto the end of Honky Tonk Heroes and The Woman in Me and it wouldn't feel out of place. I listened to it between The Woman in Me & Lubbock (On Everything) last night while i cleaned the house and it fight right in.
trying hard not to say a brand new album feels timeless cause i hate that, but what the hell
― kruezer2, Friday, 18 November 2016 19:05 (seven years ago) link
This is one of the better anythings I've heard in a while. Sort of the album several of her genre contemporaries have come close to making but just fallen short of, imo. Aesthetically it's often got as much if not more in common with indie singer-songwriter as it does country, mainstream or otherwise. From song one it feels pretty major, and like the best double (or more) albums the minor songs make it even better. Love it.
― Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 19 November 2016 16:22 (seven years ago) link
this is gonna be a nightmare to poll
― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.), Saturday, 19 November 2016 16:49 (seven years ago) link
Indie singer-songwriters would amputate a limb for her humor and vivacity though.
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 19 November 2016 17:26 (seven years ago) link
There are indie songwriters I find superior in one way or another but yeah, that's a tough combo to come by, and is especially refreshing with such rich accompaniment.
I would ditch a couple songs here, though, which is an inevitability given the bounty. I'd start with "For the Birds."
― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.), Saturday, 19 November 2016 17:59 (seven years ago) link
idk if i'd cut any songs
― who is extremely unqualified to review this pop album (BradNelson), Saturday, 19 November 2016 22:24 (seven years ago) link
the overall weatherbeaten but still glimmering through the layer of dust sound of this thing
― who is extremely unqualified to review this pop album (BradNelson), Saturday, 19 November 2016 23:26 (seven years ago) link
also feel like it's her most low-key album since revolution
― who is extremely unqualified to review this pop album (BradNelson), Saturday, 19 November 2016 23:29 (seven years ago) link
Still absorbing this record. Doesn't seem as hooky as her previous albums, but it feels like her most personal. Nearly every song was written or co-written by Lambert, with a bunch of co-writes from longtime collaborator Natalie Hemby. Nice to see Liz Rose's name pop up, too.
Agree with Alfred that the "band" has never sounded more integrated. Some interesting choices made with vocal recordings here that I'm still digesting. "Highway Vagabond" reminds me so much of "Fine Tune"--second song on the album, rough and ragged vocal, and the overall swagger of the thing.
"Smoking Jacket" is an early favorite. That line "I want a man who's heart is tragic/ But he makes his magic every night on me"...
― Indexed, Monday, 21 November 2016 15:59 (seven years ago) link
what an amazing album this is
for a double album in the era of consumption ADHD which prioritises immediacy so much less than her previous work, this sure didn't take much time for every single song to feel distinct and necessary. in fact length apart it's basically an impeccably fat-free, perfectly edited work!
every single mention of the word "heart" is a bit upsetting
― lex pretend, Tuesday, 22 November 2016 16:54 (seven years ago) link
I love the little production touches that support the songs, like the slightly overexposed vocal on "Ugly Lights"
― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.), Tuesday, 22 November 2016 16:58 (seven years ago) link
I don't need to hear "Dear Old Sun" and "Tin Man" again. The other OK tracks on the second disc form part of the texture of the thing.
This is the most pleasurable double album I've heard in years.
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 22 November 2016 16:58 (seven years ago) link
one time through disc one and "good to excellent" seems about right
― the notes the loon doesn't play (ulysses), Tuesday, 22 November 2016 17:16 (seven years ago) link
"I want a man who's heart is tragic/ But he makes his magic every night on me"...
awful
― Wimmels, Wednesday, 23 November 2016 02:59 (seven years ago) link
I think "Use My Heart" is the one that speaks to me most. Love that stray distortion under the first iteration of the title.
― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.), Thursday, 24 November 2016 01:33 (seven years ago) link
my bday gift was the triple LP vinyl of this, listening to this currently as we prep the turkey
― nomar, Thursday, 24 November 2016 18:37 (seven years ago) link
what a great album
always been fonder of the vibe of revolution than crazy ex-girlfriend even if it's hard to argue for the former song-by-song so rly glad she's embracing her roadshow sprawl. stuff like "smoking jacket" is gorgeously confident in how far back it lays. and i wasn't a big four the record fan but yeah rly glad she's kept on playing w the great texture of "fine tune".
I don't need to hear "Dear Old Sun" and "Tin Man" again.
not a fan of "dear old sun" as far as i can so far tell but legit like embarrassed by my response to the gimmick of "tin man": it's the song on the album that KILLS me like it was "bathroom sink" only instead of being this ambitious multilayered timelapse epic it's just a formal joke like a stephin merritt tossoff. love technocratic pop writing tho and she sings it terrifically.
― difficult listening hour, Friday, 25 November 2016 20:36 (seven years ago) link
the wordless chorus of "tin man" is so gorgeous that i don't mind the lyric
― who is extremely unqualified to review this pop album (BradNelson), Saturday, 26 November 2016 22:54 (seven years ago) link
predictably this is a great road trip album
― who is extremely unqualified to review this pop album (BradNelson), Saturday, 26 November 2016 23:03 (seven years ago) link
The first half ending with "Use My Heart" and the second half opening with "Tin Man" is a kind of heartbreaking core of the album
― lex pretend, Tuesday, 29 November 2016 10:58 (seven years ago) link
Ahhhhhh this album is so good.
― Tim F, Wednesday, 30 November 2016 21:27 (seven years ago) link
I was sure I was going to dislike "Pink Sunglasses' but then that "$9.99" part in the chorus happened.
― Wimmels, Tuesday, 6 December 2016 17:37 (seven years ago) link
The first half ending with "Use My Heart" and the second half opening with "Tin Man"
I feel like such a dope for not noticing this
― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.), Tuesday, 6 December 2016 17:39 (seven years ago) link
excited to spin this!!
― surm, Tuesday, 6 December 2016 18:30 (seven years ago) link
I look forward to listening to this record when it's not on.
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 6 December 2016 18:31 (seven years ago) link
i basically love every song on this album except covered wagon
― Heez, Wednesday, 7 December 2016 03:26 (seven years ago) link
I was listening to it in the shower this morning -- the chorus is a jam imo
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 7 December 2016 03:27 (seven years ago) link
all those end of year lists that were compiled before this album came out need a do-over.
― that's not my post, Wednesday, 7 December 2016 04:08 (seven years ago) link
always been fonder of the vibe of revolution than crazy ex-girlfriend even if it's hard to argue for the former song-by-song
same here and this definitely feels more like a return to that Revolution vibe
― Heez, Wednesday, 7 December 2016 04:15 (seven years ago) link
damn 12 years since Kerosene. what other country singers have had that kinda run recently?
― Heez, Wednesday, 7 December 2016 04:19 (seven years ago) link
After hearing Vice, I wasn't expecting much with this record, but it's really good!
― JacobSanders, Wednesday, 7 December 2016 04:24 (seven years ago) link
i love vice!!!
― Heez, Wednesday, 7 December 2016 04:28 (seven years ago) link
I've come around to liking Vice in the context of the album, but at first it sounded uneventful to me.
― JacobSanders, Wednesday, 7 December 2016 04:49 (seven years ago) link
"Runnin' Just in Case" is fantastic
― That's when I fired off my 2 Tweets to Dr. Phil (crüt), Wednesday, 7 December 2016 17:20 (seven years ago) link
"Vice" was the first song of hers that I heard and was floored
― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.), Wednesday, 7 December 2016 17:22 (seven years ago) link
she has a lot of songs about broken-hearted ppl driving aimlessly on the highways i appreciate that
― That's when I fired off my 2 Tweets to Dr. Phil (crüt), Wednesday, 7 December 2016 17:31 (seven years ago) link
"vice" floors me now but for some reason didn't as a single
― lex pretend, Wednesday, 7 December 2016 17:57 (seven years ago) link
'vice' is a lot better as a kickoff tune than 'automatic' was, though in the context of 'platinum' i came around on the latter a bit more (it's still the single not-great song from that album though)
― nomar, Wednesday, 7 December 2016 18:04 (seven years ago) link
yeah the weird thing is "vice" also strikes me as the obvious lead single and standout but when it was actually a single i enjoyed it but didn't really cane it like i'm doing now
― lex pretend, Wednesday, 7 December 2016 18:06 (seven years ago) link
"Somethin' Bad" is exactly that xpost
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 7 December 2016 18:08 (seven years ago) link
🤔 I guess that one too
― nomar, Wednesday, 7 December 2016 18:16 (seven years ago) link
should have a platinum poll. we're actually getting close to her having enough songs for one of these artist polls or a listen thread
― nomar, Wednesday, 7 December 2016 19:46 (seven years ago) link
there's nothing wrong with "somethin bad"
― lex pretend, Wednesday, 7 December 2016 21:51 (seven years ago) link
Platinum was my favorite album of 2014, and while I won't change my ranking its flaws grate on me more than ever: the dismissal of loose, catty women using loose, catty terms; the facile gestures towards an imagined past of awesome VCRs or something; the neither-here-nor-thereness of "Somethin' Bad." What I love about TWOTW is how she's past this nonsense -- she figured out what she wants to say and whom to hire so she can say it. Maybe the road as controlling metaphor liberated her songwriting.
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 7 December 2016 21:58 (seven years ago) link
"neither-here-nor-thereness"?
i mean, it's a flippant song that knows it's throwaway, and you definitely don't get that on the new one...
― lex pretend, Wednesday, 7 December 2016 22:02 (seven years ago) link
she figured out what she wants to say and whom to hire so she can say it.
talk about damning with faint praise
― Wimmels, Thursday, 8 December 2016 01:53 (seven years ago) link
WHAT
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 8 December 2016 03:09 (seven years ago) link
I don't get that at all
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 8 December 2016 04:53 (seven years ago) link
Isn't that one of the reasons everyone loves Beyonce?
― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.), Thursday, 8 December 2016 11:52 (seven years ago) link
Xgau only gives it a B+: https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/country-livin-with-miranda-lambert-margaret-glaspy-and-more-expert-witness-with-robert-christgau
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 9 December 2016 21:48 (seven years ago) link
And besides, it's not like she's the first Country star who's had suspect/cringe/objectionable business interests.
― an icon of a worried-looking, long-haired, bespectacled man (C. Grisso/McCain), Thursday, 15 September 2022 17:08 (one year ago) link
If I may also note in her character assessment the enormous amount of work she's done (and presumably $ she's given) for animal welfare organizations, and her own Mutt Nation.
https://muttnation.com/foundation/
― Indexed, Thursday, 15 September 2022 17:12 (one year ago) link
i don’t think we need really need to hold a trial over how problematic she is or isn’t. her songs provide for far more interesting discussion
― J0rdan S., Thursday, 15 September 2022 17:34 (one year ago) link
"It All Comes Out in the Wash" is sorta a lesser variation on "We Should Be Friends," huh?
Wildcard starts out bumpy, but ends really strong...
― mosh pit insurance agent (morrisp), Thursday, 15 September 2022 17:40 (one year ago) link
Related, anyone read the Her Country book?
― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 15 September 2022 17:42 (one year ago) link
the only song on Wildcard i’m ambivalent about is “fire escape” because it’s so repetitive it sounds more like a filler song but otherwise i enjoy Wildcard a great deal,
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 15 September 2022 17:43 (one year ago) link
"Settling Down" is the catchiest song of her career. Jeez, even typing the title got it lodged in my head.
― Malevolent Arugula (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 15 September 2022 17:44 (one year ago) link
Putting aside the Tex-Mex schtick, something great about "Tequila Does" is how it's, like, a "positive" ode to booze... you know, drink responsibility and all that (and I could never handle tequila myself), but I like the idea of a drinking song that doesn't have a "dark" edge. I'm sure there are many others (esp. in country music), but they're not known to me.
― mosh pit insurance agent (morrisp), Thursday, 15 September 2022 18:00 (one year ago) link
(or at least paying tribute to a particular drink)
― mosh pit insurance agent (morrisp), Thursday, 15 September 2022 18:01 (one year ago) link
the first half of wildcard is def a bit patchy altho “mess with my head” is an incredible song, she should keep writing songs that sound like the cars. it gets better starting with “bluebird” — one of her best singles and which ended up being a crowning achievement for her at this stage in her career — and i’d put the final 4 songs up there w/ pretty much any stretch on any of her albums. i love the way the album slowly descends into darkness from “pretty bitchin” (i love being the subject of gossip!) to “tequila does” (no man feels better than tequila!) to “track record” (i recklessly pursue unhealthy relationships) to “dark bars” (here i am in my happy place, hanging out with degenerate alcoholics)
― J0rdan S., Thursday, 15 September 2022 18:05 (one year ago) link
worth noting that "Bluebird" was her biggest country hit in years
― Malevolent Arugula (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 15 September 2022 18:09 (one year ago) link
"Life's pretty good if you live it" (from "Pretty Bitchin'") is like one of those all-time great song lines.
― mosh pit insurance agent (morrisp), Thursday, 15 September 2022 18:11 (one year ago) link
i love the first verse or “bluebird” so much… “i turn pages all the time / don’t like where i’m at, 34 was bad / so i just turn 35”
― J0rdan S., Thursday, 15 September 2022 18:22 (one year ago) link
"Strange" has been largely DOA at radio, which has surprised me. Not sure if the recurrent play for "Drunk And I Don't Wanna Go Home" w Elle King (also a great single) is hurting it, but it had an impact date back in July and hasn't yet cracked the t40. Would love to see "Waxahachie" or "Geraldene" get tagged as single, but I also respect her DGAF attitude to such things.
― jon_oh, Thursday, 15 September 2022 18:43 (one year ago) link
Yeah in my head Wildcard is always just like “White Trash” and “It All Comes Out…” and “Way Too Pretty….” and then I listen to it again and get totally blown away by the last third each time.
― Tim F, Thursday, 15 September 2022 19:57 (one year ago) link
"Dark Bars" is scary. It's like not-quite-middle-aged Dylan looking ahead 20 years.
― Malevolent Arugula (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 15 September 2022 20:01 (one year ago) link
It reminds me of “The Last Time I Saw Richard” and not just because of the setting.
― Tim F, Thursday, 15 September 2022 21:01 (one year ago) link
"Track Record" is one of my all time favorite Miranda songs.
― alpine static, Thursday, 15 September 2022 22:22 (one year ago) link
And it's totally buried on Wildcard, surrounded by Pretty Bitchin' and Tequila Does and Dark Bars ... just sitting there in the middle being more understated and perfect.
― alpine static, Thursday, 15 September 2022 22:24 (one year ago) link
Dark Bars might be my favorite off Wildcard … that chorus gives me goosebumps “I’m not in paaaaaiiin / I’m not on piiiillls”i love all her songs about bars, dare I say she has a Haggard-esque knack for capturing the sad specifics of booze & loneliness in crowded places & making them still weirdly beautiful
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 16 September 2022 01:40 (one year ago) link
Yep. She covered "Misery and Gin."
― Malevolent Arugula (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 16 September 2022 02:02 (one year ago) link
yes and "ugly lights"
― horseshoe, Wednesday, 7 June 2023 15:27 (eleven months ago) link
sorry lol that was in support of what VG said about her bar songs.
Her best album.
― the dreaded dependent claus (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 7 June 2023 15:48 (eleven months ago) link
Saw she put out a new track with Leon Bridges but haven't listened yet. Also extended her LV residency...toying with the idea of trying to get out there for a night or two...Anyone been or heard any reviews?
― Indexed, Wednesday, 7 June 2023 16:15 (eleven months ago) link