Album Review: Miranda Lambert – Platinum
3 min read
There is something wise in the rawness of country singer Miranda Lambert’s voice; the content of her lyrics are knowledgeable by experience, and perhaps that openness she shares with the world is part of the reason why she can easily top the country charts worldwide and advance well on the US Billboard Charts. Following the success of her recent album Four The Record in 2011, Miranda unveils record number five; Platinum. An artist generally grows album after album, it will be interesting to hear the direction Lambert takes her music.
Platinum is introduced by Girls, an empowering country power ballad about the strong will of the female gender. The album’s title track brings out the traditional country twang of Lambert’s voice for a ditty all about being a platinum blonde, and Little Red Wagon is that sassy country/rock track denying that jaw dropper a ride in your crippled vehicle. Country group Little Big Town feature in the nostalgic and light hearted Smokin’ and Drinkin’, and the catchy Priscilla is executed with the enthusiasm of George Michael’s Faith and the typical country sing song. The album’s leading single Automatic questions the direction the world has taken in terms of the way things are done as compared to ‘how we had it’ in the past, a worthy concept tackled with a country/pop attack. Bathroom Sink is the cliche song about rejection of your reflection and dwelling on regrets, the short and sweet Old Sh*t is written about and performed in the style of past times and Miranda joins forces with The Time Jumpers for the energetic All That’s Left.
All the perks and jerks of ageing are covered in the funnest of ways in the ditty Gravity’s A B*tch, and the controversy of couples too young to start a family is painted in a more optimistic light in Babies Makin’ Babies. American idol season four winner Carrie Underwood features on the heavier country/rock duet Somethin’ Bad, both voices really compliment each other in the track. Holding On To You is that cheesy but touching ballad about comparing the wonders of the world to that moment when you are holding on to someone special, Miranda rejects the trashy men again with the self righteous Two Rings Shy, it’s Hard Staying Sober for the singer when she goes through a lyrical break up and the album comes to a close with the laid back, life loving Another Sunday In The South.
Platinum is a fine country record, it never really strayed from Miranda’s country roots; and we know that’s just how she likes her albums. Lyrically it touches on many situations experienced by young women at some stage in their lives poetically, and in a melodically appealing kind of a way. Platinum is bound to be one of Miranda Lambert’s most beloved albums to date, she is still a young artist and will always have more room to grow.
