For nearly her entire tenure on the charts, it seems, people have been waiting for Miranda Lambert to take on the mantle of The Savior of traditional country. She sings with a beautiful twang, and has a long list of traditional and roots artists she claims as influences, but she has always been right on the verge. While we were waiting, however, Lambert has established herself as a freewheeling and two fisted songwriter. It’s easy to forget that she was the first of the current wave to sing a song about punishing a cheating ex with violence and she is the only one, thus far, who has had the guts to kill him. "White Liar" finds Miranda Lambert finally able to fuse the attitude she has cultivated with the roots she claims to create her own brand of neo-traditional country music.
The song finds Miranda Lambert mining Steve Earle territory with a tasty blend of country rock and bluegrass. It is more than a fusing of the electric and the acoustic, Lambert also pays homage to her musical heroes by taking a slice of bluegrass and making it her own unique sound. While the song often calls to mind Julie Miller, its can never be mistaken for her. As a songwriter, Lambert’s voice stays powerful and true. She may no longer resort to murder, but she is still not suffering lying, cheating fools lightly. The twist in the end is both clever and complex. By transforming herself into another white liar, Lambert pulls out a lot of relationship issues from cheaters getting cheated on to the myriad ways a dirty relationship can leave us tainted.
Miranda Lambert is the rare artist who seems to value artistic growth over radio friendly patterns. White Liar finds her taking new risks and stretching into new forms while making them her own. In the battle between mainstream and alternative country, Lambert has positioned herself as the winner by posting her flag on fertile ground that belongs to both. In the early 80’s Emmylou Harris found her way one country music charts and is credited with starting the neo-traditionalist movement while remaining original and true to her artistic vision. With "White Liar" Miranda Lambert establishes herself as the Emmylou Harris of her generation.
Click here to check out what Roughstock originally had to say about "White Liar."
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