Miranda Lambert Releases Groundbreaking New Album

Her popularity and musical chops reaching a crescendo, Miranda Lambert confidently released her latest album, "Four the Record," yesterday. While many who find commercial success try to stick to the pattern that got them there, Lambert is apparently perfectly willing to push the envelope and try some new things. Her hits include "The House That Built Me," "White Liar" and "Only Prettier." Those were songs from her third album, "Revolution." But the new album is something of a departure, and while she admits to having a fondness for her third release, she wants to do new things.

Says Lambert, "There was no possible way I could remake 'Revolution,' which did such amazing things for my career. I feel like I have grown as an artist because I didn't go into the studio with a theme in mind. All I thought about was 'may the best songs win.' I just wanted to have fun making this album, and I did." The 27-year-old Lambert has been having fun in her personal life too, and seems very happy to be married to 35-year-old country star Blake Shelton.

Lambert’s happiness is perhaps the reason she’s willing to put it all out there. She pushed some boundaries in the relatively stifling atmosphere of Music Row, with songs like "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" and "Gunpowder and Lead." But she said that the song "Fine Tune" was one that she’s struggled with for some time. She notes, "I've had that song for seven years and finally I got the courage to record it after passing on it the last two albums. I wanted it to sound kind of grungy and dirty, but still cute and fun."