come anticipate Miranda Lambert's new double album The Weight of These Wings

"Settling Down" is the catchiest song of her career. Jeez, even typing the title got it lodged in my head.

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.

(or at least paying tribute to a particular drink)

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)

worth noting that "Bluebird" was her biggest country hit in years

"Life's pretty good if you live it" (from "Pretty Bitchin'") is like one of those all-time great song lines.

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”

"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.

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.

"Dark Bars" is scary. It's like not-quite-middle-aged Dylan looking ahead 20 years.

It reminds me of “The Last Time I Saw Richard” and not just because of the setting.

"Track Record" is one of my all time favorite Miranda songs.

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.

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

Yep. She covered "Misery and Gin."

yes and "ugly lights"

sorry lol that was in support of what VG said about her bar songs.

Her best album.

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?