Miranda Lambert - "The Weight Of These Wings"

[Deleted]

Miranda Lambert - "The Weight Of These Wings"
Release Date: November 18, 2016

[someguy]

"Raw" is the best word I can think of to describe this album. You can hear the pain and anguish coming out of Miranda and onto these songs. I doubt it'll be an album of hers that I listen to over and over again like I do Revolution, Platinum and Four The Record, but I think that it is a very high quality record like those other ones. I do agree somewhat that some of the songs can start sounding similar, but I'm very happy to have 24 new Miranda songs. I definitely don't have to listen to them all in one sitting to enjoy the record.

After one listen (and I'm sure that this will change in time), my favourite tracks are: "Vice", "Keeper Of The Flame", "Pink Sunglasses", "You Wouldn't Know Me", "Highway Vagabond", "Ugly Lights", "Bad Boy" and "We Should Be Friends". (But with one listen, this will definitely change).

I think my single choices would be:

1. Vice
2. We Should Be Friends

(Since that's the way it is)

3. Keeper Of The Flame
4. Bad Boy (with the intro edited out)
5. Highway Vagabond

[George Strait Junkie]

i've only listened to the album once but wow might be her best record ever and i loved most of Platinum i'll give the track rankings later in the week

[seak05]

I posted my thoughts on the album on another thread, but & this is prob an only me thing to care about, I wish she didn't promote smoking so much as something cool. I'm here for Miranda showing that women aren't even remotely perfect, & I don't have a problem with marijuana or drinking or sex all are totally fine when used correctly, but cigarettes are way more harmful and addictive.

[Troublemaker]

On track to sell between 135k-145k (http://hitsdailydouble.com/news&id=303937)

[g8erboi]

"Tin Man" is the clear standout here

[codyj100]

I just spent the last 95 minutes thoroughly enjoying this record. It's a big record, or at least it seems that way before listening to it. However, it all fits. Promoting it as "one story" was the perfect way to go, imho. It's a beautiful continuation of traditional country. It's raw, honest, and real. When an artist usually says "this is my most personal record yet" I usually cringe because it's said so often. It's clear that this was indeed her most personal. "Tin Man" is by far my favorite track on the entire album. Some other favorites include: "We Should Be Friends," "Vice," "Pushin' Time," and "Getaway Driver." The only song I can't seem to get into at all is "Pink Sunglasses." It's funny to me because that's one of the few she didn't write. I would love to do a ranking of all the tracks, but this is not the type of album where I can just put them in order upon first listen. This is more than an album, it's an experience. 

By the way, I teared up during "Pushin' Time." I have no idea why. Miranda is back though and that's all I care about. 24 songs is more than enough to keep me happy until the next era in 2-3 years. 

[Kanenrá:ke]

Only had one listen through and it was at work so I was a little distracted during some of it but "Ugly Lights", "Tin Man" and "Things That Break" are all standouts.

[Dustin J.]

I'm sure I'll be in the minority here but...after three complete listens...I just can't really get into this album.

The uptempo stuff, for the most part, just isn't that good. And the slower stuff I'm just not connecting with.

I'm not saying this isn't a good album...it's just not a good album for me.

[The Brazilian Guy 🇧🇷]

Finally got the chance to listen to it and it's already one of my favorite albums this year! I love when I can feel like the artist poured themselves in their music... it makes an instant connection to me even if I didn't go through those very same experiences... it's like listening to a friend in a way, very natural. I fell like not just the songs themselves are great, but Miranda really knows how to sell them (at least to me lol). She's a great interpreter of song in my opinion. If I had to choose some of the standouts, I would pick Vice, Tin Man, Pushing Time, Smocking Jacket, Well Rested, Ugly Lights and Getaway Driver... I'm sure the more I listen to it, this standouts will change lol

[codyj100]

Nov 21, 2016 11:33:14 GMT -5 The Brazilian Guy 🇧🇷 said:

Finally got the chance to listen to it and it's already one of my favorite albums this year! I love when I can feel like the artist poured themselves in their music... it makes an instant connection to me even if I didn't go through those very same experiences... it's like listening to a friend in a way, very natural. I fell like not just the songs themselves are great, but Miranda really knows how to sell them (at least to me lol). She's a great interpreter of song in my opinion. If I had to choose some of the standouts, I would pick Vice, Tin Man, Pushing Time, Smocking Jacket, Well Rested, Ugly Lights and Getaway Driver... I'm sure the more I listen to it, this standouts will change lol

This. Exactly this. I felt as if she was confiding in us as fans. As if to say, "Hey, do you have 95 minutes? I've got a story to tell you." The emotion in her voice is what sells the songs for me. Maybe it's due in part because we know the last year had been such a rollercoaster  for her, but I was able to just fall into this record. It's been awhile since I've been able to do that. 

I'm off this entire week, so if I have the time, I may listen to both discs individually, step away, and put the other one in. I'd say the label could pull six singles out of this era. (Three from each disc). 

[myeverything]

Slightly disappointed. That being said, I've only listened to the whole thing one time and I usually give a few good listens before I formally make an opinion, so this is a bit pre-mature. I do think it's long. I never thought I'd say that about any artist's album that I love so much.. I truthfully feel like she could have did without SOME of the songs. But most of them I know I'll grow to love; I think some of the ballads really stand out on this one. Here's my list of one's that I like just based off of the first listen. Again, will have to listen more still:


Runnin' Just In Case
Highway Vagabond
We Should Be Friends
Getaway Driver
Vice
Pushin' Time *
Use My Heart
Tin Man *
To Learn Her
Keeper of the Flame
Bad Boy


*'s are my favorites so far.

[zaclord 🌈]

I've listened to this the whole way through 3 or 4 times now while at work (so I'm slightly distracted) but nothing really seems to stand out to me when I listen to the album as a whole - it all seems to run together. This is likely a good thing in the long-run when you judge the album as a piece of art, but on the first initial listens, its just 'meh' and forgettable. HOWEVER, I've also added the entire album to my playlist of current music, which I've played on shuffle throughout the day as well. When songs from this album pop up on there, they're much more memorable and I seem to remember liking the songs a lot more when I listen to them that way. It's strange, but thought I'd point that out. Maybe I'm just having a tough time distinguishing the songs from one another when listening to them all at once, which is hindering me from appreciating each individual song. I honestly don't know... I'm hoping I'll have some time to listen to this over break, start to finish, and to be able to really listen to it.

I will say that holy shit do I love "Tin Man". What a heartbreakingly beautiful song. If I end up hating every other song on this album, "Tin Man" and "Vice" alone make this record better than Platinum.

[George Strait Junkie]

ok this may change with more listens but here are my top 10 favorites i'll do a ranking of all 24 tracks much later on

1. Use My Heart - wow just wow
2. You Wouldn't Know Me
3. We Should Be Friends
4. Pushin' Time
5. Covered Wagon
6. Tin Man
7. Good Ol' Days
8. For The Birds
9. Dear Old Sun
10. I've Got Wheels

[myeverything]

Okay, really random but I have to ask... Does anyone else think that parts of "For The Birds" sound like "Me and Bobby McGee"? lmao, every time I listen to it I think that and I'm not sure why.

[onebuffalo]

Nov 23, 2016 11:44:19 GMT -5 myeverything said:

Okay, really random but I have to ask... Does anyone else think that parts of "For The Birds" sound like "Me and Bobby McGee"? lmao, every time I listen to it I think that and I'm not sure why.

Janis Joplin should be so honored.

[.indulgecountry]

It took me awhile of letting this album sink in to even begin trying to formulate any thoughts on it, but I must say that Miranda Lambert continues to not let me down with her music. Love this record and having so much new music to sink into all it once is a treat (though initially it started as a chore because it took a few extra listens before I could start to identify all the songs as separate entities). My one minor complaint -- which is more an observation honestly than a qualm I have with the record -- is that the album is maybe a little mid-tempo/ballad heavy and I would've maybe like a little more uptempos (there's several on there and I like all of them, but they don't stand out quite as much). That said, those mid-tempos and ballads are largely an immaculate set. Some truly beautiful songwriting, vocal performances, and production treatments are to be found here. I am definitely enamored with this release and I find new ways to love something on the album each time I run through it again.

One thing I have to just throw out there is that "Getaway Driver" is absolutely STUNNING. That is the one that I keep coming back to the most. It and "Vice" are my Top 2 for the record and thus far that's about the best I can do for playing favorites because everything here is pretty great. I'm glad she went with the double-album concept for this release because there's definitely so many great songs on here that I have a hard time imagining 8-10 of them being cut from the final tracklisting if they'd gone with the traditional single-disc route.

As for single options, I think "We Should Be Friends" is an excellent pick for the follow-up to "Vice" and it should be a pretty safe, accessible, and catchy song for radio to get her back into the Top 5, at minimum. There's a lot of great lyrical moments littered throughout "We Should Be Friends" and several strong hooks (the "ooh-ooh-ooh" in particular) that I expect it to do quite well for her. As for other options down the road, I personally feel strongly that "Getaway Driver" should be released at some point (probably not third, but perhaps fourth or fifth), in part because it's my clear favorite track on the record, but also because I could see it tapping into the same kind of audience that eats up ballads from artists like Keith Urban and Eric Church (musically it reminds me of something from a similar vein to "Raise 'Em Up"/"Talladega"/"Cop Car"-kind of tracks, for w/e reason). I could see "Ugly Lights," "You Wouldn't Know Me," "Good Ol' Days," and "Keeper of the Flame" all being strong selections for radio as well.

I'd probably do something akin to this:
1. Vice
2. We Should Be Friends
---
3. Good Ol' Days
4. Keeper of the Flame /or/ Ugly Lights
5. Getaway Driver

Since the album is 24 tracks long, I'd like to see them go 5 singles deep at minimum, but I'd LOVE for her to spring for 6 if possible. The more the merrier, truly. <3

[codyj100]

Since the album is 24 tracks long, I'd like to see them go 5 singles deep at minimum, but I'd LOVE for her to spring for 6 if possible. The more the merrier, truly. <3[/quote]


Great observation of the album! I'm always interested to see what you think, because you, bboat11, and myself share very similar musical tastes.

I too am really hoping they can pull six singles off of this record. I mean it's not like the album is sparse with material. I've gotta come up with my single predictions. The more I listen, the closer I come to deciding.

[The Brazilian Guy 🇧🇷]

Can I just say I love the "faux" mistake in the beginning of Bad Boy... lol

[codyj100]

Nov 24, 2016 16:07:16 GMT -5 The Brazilian Guy 🇧🇷 said:

Can I just say I love the "faux" mistake in the beginning of Bad Boy... lol

"Wait...can I ask somebody a question? What's the intro?" And at the end of "Ugly Lights" she says "that wasn't any good."  

[The Brazilian Guy 🇧🇷]

Nov 24, 2016 16:25:11 GMT -5 codyj100 said:

Nov 24, 2016 16:07:16 GMT -5 The Brazilian Guy 🇧🇷 said:

Can I just say I love the "faux" mistake in the beginning of Bad Boy... lol

"Wait...can I ask somebody a question? What's the intro?" And at the end of "Ugly Lights" she says "that wasn't any good."  

Yeah! I love these little details... it gives the record even more personality in my opinion. 

[tryexp]

I love this album and I love that it is a double album for he sole reason that I've seen quite a few different favourite amongst fans and it works well as the tracks roll on.
My top 5:
1. Pushin' Time
2. I've Got Wheels
3.Tin Man
4. For the Birds
4. Dear Old Sun

I'm still sad they didn't include Scars, but you can't have it all.

[Kanenrá:ke]

Just going on a Miranda listening party by listening to all her albums in order and I'm halfway through 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' and I forgot how much I adore this album! "Love Letters", "Desperation" & "More Like Her" all in a row may be one of my favorite run of songs on any album I own!

[Deleted]

It took me a couple listens to digest this album, but once again, Miranda proves she is head and shoulders above 99% her contemporaries in terms of the quality of her music and albums.

I don't love all the songs on the album, but Miranda covers such a wide scope here that I can understand why she released a double album.

There are several songs that remind me of tracks on her past albums ("Pink Sunglasses" has that same quirky/polarizing quality as "Little Red Wagon,", "We Should Be Friends" has the same unflinching honesty as say, "Only Prettier" etc.). This album is a great marriage of who Miranda is as an artist and individual, yet it showcases that she continues to grow and explore places she hasn't been before.

There is unflinching, raw honesty throughout this album, and it brings me back to why I became a Country music fan in the first place. Great Country music is simplistic, but at its core it hits the heart in a powerful way. Miranda has always held that dear, and this album is no exception.

I love that Miranda's anguish is on full display, she held nothing back. One of the things I've dearly missed in Country music lately is the ability to be brutally honest and not glossing over the ugly parts of artistry and real life pain.

There are songs here that had me thinking Miranda's producer was probably like "Rough day, great, go into the studio and record." I love that the emotion was left raw and imperfect. To me, that's what makes Country music so powerful.

It'll take me awhile to rank the full album, but these are the top contenders:

1. Tin Man: Holy s*hit, what a heartbreakingly beautiful, honest portrait of heartbreak. Anyone who thinks Miranda doesn't deserve the praise she receives needs to listen to this. Her most powerful song since "The House That Built Me."
2. Well-Rested: Miranda's emotion stopped me on my tracks the first time I heard this. It still gets me even after several listens. So powerful.
3. To Learn Her: What a perfect throwback classic Country song. There's something absolutely charming in the simplicity of it.
4. Things That Break: Love this. Again, Miranda continues to deliver with unfliching (yet relatable) honesty.
5. Use My Heart: The "I don't have the nerve to use my heart" was the first thing to catch my attention. It takes a ton of strength to follow your heart, but also to admit that sometimes you don't have the strength to follow it. A prime example of Miranda exploring all facets of emotion, and continuing to do so in a way that is unique to her, yet still universal to so many people. She has so much wit, heart, and honesty, and it's incredible that she continues to uncover that in new ways.

I'm not sure where I'd rank album in her discography, but in a lot of ways it's unlike anything she's done. It's the kind of album that an artist could probably only ever make once. It's not for everybody (and not particularly radio-friendly), but it's an artistic statement that isn't meant to be replicated.

[trebor]

Have managed to find some time to listen to disc 1: 
Went into the project to be totally bored and turned off by yet another mainstream act, but:
A) I didn't skip any song (OK, "Vice" which is already known)
B) "Getaway Driver" is sublime (I'm with .indulgecountry , here!  ;)  )
C) "Pink Sunglasses" is the one track that I liked the least

The sound is very Alternative leaning, cohesive, typically Miranda (in a good and positive way).
I'm honestly impressed by this release and have added it to my library (which doesn't happen often).
My judgement for Disc 1. Thumbs up and best mainstream release in a long, long time.

I've noticed that Disc 2 is described as "pop"; pretty reluctant to go at it right now (maybe tomorrow)

[.indulgecountry]

Nov 26, 2016 17:25:47 GMT -5 trebor said:

I've noticed that Disc 2 is described as "pop"; pretty reluctant to go at it right now (maybe tomorrow)

... by who? Lol, that's definitely not an accurate statement. It's really just more of the same thing as disc 1. I'm glad you enjoyed the first half of the album, especially "Getaway Driver"!

[trebor]

Nov 26, 2016 17:35:05 GMT -5 .indulgecountry said:

... by who? Lol, that's definitely not an accurate statement. It's really just more of the same thing as disc 1. I'm glad you enjoyed the first half of the album, especially "Getaway Driver"!

Pretty sure I read it somewhere (on social, probably). Never mind! ;)
Looking forward to part 2 tomorrow! :)

[onebuffalo]

#1 country, #3 top 200 album with 122,000 sold. Congratulations, Miranda Lambert!

[seak05]

Nov 28, 2016 12:55:59 GMT -5 onebuffalo said:

#1 country, #3 top 200 album with 122,000 sold. Congratulations, Miranda Lambert!

Gonna be honest, the 133/122 numbers from Miranda are less than I was hoping for/expecting. It's a pretty decent drop from Platinum, and means the album is only the 4th best country seller this year. Never mind that it's also pretty decently under what Carrie did in the same period last year. 

[onebuffalo]

Nov 28, 2016 13:09:22 GMT -5 seak05 said:

Nov 28, 2016 12:55:59 GMT -5 onebuffalo said:

#1 country, #3 top 200 album with 122,000 sold. Congratulations, Miranda Lambert!

Gonna be honest, the 133/122 numbers from Miranda are less than I was hoping for/expecting. It's a pretty decent drop from Platinum, and means the album is only the 4th best country seller this year. Never mind that it's also pretty decently under what Carrie did in the same period last year. 

Carrie Underwood had a better lead single in Smoke Break (#2).