It's hard to believe the alluring countenance on the cover of Kerosene is the embodiment of the spirited and accomplished vocals on this twelve-song album.
   On Kerosene, Miranda Lambert sings with an authority way beyond her 21 years. The second runner-up on Nashville Star's inaugural season in 2003, Miranda's approach to country music is smart and sassy, her vocals as forceful as her lyrics are mature. From the opening chords of the album's title song through the snappy Texas shuffle of "I Can't Be Bothered," Miranda's singing is invigorating and demanding, often sounding like an edgy version of Suzy Bogguss. "Me and Charlie Talking," the first release from the album jumped straight onto the charts at number 42.
   Kerosene is infused with a driving country beat for the up-tempo numbers, which are in turn tempered by slower paced tunes and ballads. Lambert is assertive and demanding in her debut and as enjoyable to listen to, as her cover is to look at.

-Wynn Hayden*