Spring Break
'Nashville Star' shines in debut album
Erik Blumenfeld, Contributing Writer
Issue date: 3/14/05 Section: Lifestyles
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In May 2003, USA Network's Nashville Star threw winner Buddy Jewell into the national spotlight. Jewell was not the only artist to benefit from being on the inaugural season of "Nashville Star." On Tuesday, "Nashville Star" runner-up Miranda Lambert will release Kerosene, her debut record on Epic Nashville.
Rarely in major label releases, particularly debut releases, does the artist get to contribute more than vocals. Apparently, Epic and Sony executives have different ideas than most label execs. Lambert wrote or co-wrote 11 of the 12 tracks on the record. When Lambert signed her recording contract in late 2003, she also signed a writing contract with Sony's publishing company.
In order for her to have the best, Lambert enlisted one of the top producers in country music. Frank Liddell, Lee Ann Womack's producer on the hit, "Something Worth Leaving Behind," was brought in to produce the record. Liddell allowed Lambert to give her input and this means that she was involved with all facets of the record, which is also a rarity.
A range of style is something artists try to reach but few are able to actually achieve. Lambert will make you remember why you do not want to talk to your latest ex on songs like, "I Can't Be Bothered" and "Love Your Memory." She definitely sounds as if she has experienced some type of heartache and heartbreak in her life. However, the realism seems strange for a woman 21-years-old.
Kerosene is not only about angry breakups. Lambert shows her diverse style from the beginning. The title track is a "don't tread on me" type of song that describes her moving on from a bad relationship.
Every successful musician needs a good feud. Lambert accomplishes this with the song, "What About Georgia?" As a response to a song by fellow "Nashville Star" alum Travis Howard, she asks when he will ever grow up. It is probably all in good fun because Howard actually wrote "I Can't be Bothered" and co-wrote "Mama, I'm Alright" and "Bring Me Down" on her album.
Rarely in major label releases, particularly debut releases, does the artist get to contribute more than vocals. Apparently, Epic and Sony executives have different ideas than most label execs. Lambert wrote or co-wrote 11 of the 12 tracks on the record. When Lambert signed her recording contract in late 2003, she also signed a writing contract with Sony's publishing company.
In order for her to have the best, Lambert enlisted one of the top producers in country music. Frank Liddell, Lee Ann Womack's producer on the hit, "Something Worth Leaving Behind," was brought in to produce the record. Liddell allowed Lambert to give her input and this means that she was involved with all facets of the record, which is also a rarity.
A range of style is something artists try to reach but few are able to actually achieve. Lambert will make you remember why you do not want to talk to your latest ex on songs like, "I Can't Be Bothered" and "Love Your Memory." She definitely sounds as if she has experienced some type of heartache and heartbreak in her life. However, the realism seems strange for a woman 21-years-old.
Kerosene is not only about angry breakups. Lambert shows her diverse style from the beginning. The title track is a "don't tread on me" type of song that describes her moving on from a bad relationship.
Every successful musician needs a good feud. Lambert accomplishes this with the song, "What About Georgia?" As a response to a song by fellow "Nashville Star" alum Travis Howard, she asks when he will ever grow up. It is probably all in good fun because Howard actually wrote "I Can't be Bothered" and co-wrote "Mama, I'm Alright" and "Bring Me Down" on her album.
