Revolution - Miranda Lambert

Miranda Lambert - Revolution
Score: A-


"I ain’t the kind you take home to mama. I ain’t the kind to wear no ring. Somehow I always get stronger when I’m on my second drink," croons Miranda Lambert at the opening of "Heart Like Mine." And in 3 sentences she describes exactly what makes her unique and by proxy successful. In an industry dominated by men Lambert isn't afraid to get her hands dirty. She isn't trying to cross over into pop music like most other female country singers. She is content being herself, which on this album means a little less Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and a little more woman in love.

Its no secret that Lambert has found love with fellow country singer Blake Shelton, in fact he helped pen a number of the songs of Revolution, and their relationship helps evolve Miranda's lyrics. "Airstream Song" finds Lambert questioning what alternative lifestyles might be like. While On "Makin' Plans" showcases a softer side of Lambert, one who's ready to settle down. Both of the album's singles "Dead Flowers" and "White Liar" allow to show off her vocal range in ways that she hasn't on here last two albums. But the real stand out track is "The House That Built Me" wherein Lambert sings of days gone by in a way that make you feel nostalgic for a place you've never been.

Not all of the album is soft tracks though, as that wouldn't be true to form and Lambert offers up a dose of her southern attitude on "Somewhere Trouble Don't Go" and "That's the Way the World Goes Round." There are a few missteps along the way, most notably "Love Song" which wastes the talent of Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley subjugating him to background vocals. That said the album cements Lambert as one of the premiere vocalists in her genre.

Selena Gomez and The Scene - Kiss & Tell Album Review

Selena Gomez and The Scene - Kiss & Tell
Score: B-

Two songs into Kiss & Tell and I already knew what my problem with the album would be, unsurprisingly my initial reaction was correct. What was that problem you ask; the album simply isn’t Selena Gomez the girl instead we get Selena Gomez product of the Disney machine. Perhaps it’s my undying love for Selena the girl that prevented me from truly loving this album but certain things didn’t sit right with me. Gomez is Disney’s pet because she is the perfect role model. She’s nowhere near as risqué as Miley Cyrus, nor is she edgy like best friend Demi Lovato but on Kiss & Tell that’s the biggest problem.

Unlike Cyrus and Lovato, Gomez has almost no writing credits on her debut and because of that I felt like we weren’t hearing her voice so much as the hire hands. On two tracks that means we get Zach Hanson, yes that Zach Hanson, imagining what a 17 year old girl might feel like. Don’t get me wrong this album isn’t a misstep so much as it is stumbling block. Tween girls with love the CD and probably make it a number one record but what I admired about Lovato’s debut was that it had mainstream appeal rather than pandering to a niche.

It should be noted that technically this album isn’t a solo venture for Gomez as the album is credited to Selena Gomez and The Scene but her backup band is nowhere to be found in the artwork lining the album. There are some shadows on the back cover that might be The Scene. But, since Selena’s best tracks are synth driven they seem like nothing more than an accessory, a marketing ploy to differentiate her from her peers.

Overall, I would say the album progresses and, while the start might not be particularly strong, Gomez is able to sell the back half the way she’s sold Wizards of Waverly Place for 3 seasons and a telefilm. Save for the album’s lead single I would suggest skipping the first 5 tracks and picking up with “Naturally,” a fun club anthem in the making. Other standouts include “The Way I Loved You” which feels like the most personal cut on the album, the fun and flirty “More” and “I Don’t Miss You At All” which is probably the album’s most surefire radio hit. “Tell me something I don’t know” Selena sings in the album’s final track, borrowed from the Another Cinderella Story Soundtrack. And my response, it’s ok to be yourself, the 17 year girl I adore.

Note: The one song that Selena does have a writing credit on is track 2 entitled "I Won't Apologize" but I question just how much of that track she wrote.