VOA常速英语:Miranda Lambert Delivers Whole New Flair With 'Four The Record'

Miranda Lambert says her new album, “Four The Record,” “pushes the limits” and builds on her previous releases with “a whole new flair.”

The Country star kept a high profile throughout the past year by winning her first Grammy Award, taking home her second consecutive Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year Award, and marrying fellow Country star Blake Shelton.  And, she’s poised to have another stellar year in 2012.

Miranda’s new album, “Four The Record,” debuted at Number One.  She becomes the only artist in the Country Album chart’s history to enter in the top spot with each of her first four releases.  Last year, Miranda recorded a side project with singer-songwriter friends Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley as Pistol Annies.  The trio’s “Hell On Heels” album also opened at Number One on the Country list.

Since the 2005 release of her major label debut album “Kerosene,” Miranda has charted her own musical course.  Her fans have understood her personality from the beginning, but Miranda’s feisty attitude stood in the way of radio success early in her career.  She finally developed a relationship with Country radio with the release of her 2009 album, “Revolution,” which produced two Number One hits.

After spending some time at home for the holidays, Miranda is back at work to promote her new album.  “Four The Record” features many guests, including Steve Winwood, Josh Kelley, Patty Loveless and Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman.  Miranda also invited her husband to duet with her on this track, called “Better In The Long Run.”

Miranda and Blake will both kick off their 2012 concerts on January 12.  Chris Young and Jerrod Niemann will open shows on Miranda’s “On Fire” tour. 

Miranda wrote the album's second single “Over You” with her husband.  The poignant song pays tribute to Blake’s late brother Richie, who died in an automobile accident in 1990.