critic Mikael Wood said she explored a variety of human emotions and moods on the record, which he called her "most vivid effort yet, with brilliantly observed songs about lust ('Fine Tune') and disappointment ('Same Old You'), as well as a stirring celebration of diversity ('All Kinds of Kinds')." Some reviewers were less enthusiastic. Writing for MSN Music, Robert Christgau called Four the Record a "basic quality country album" highlighted by the harder opening songs before delving into trite ballads catering to the housewife demographic, such as "Dear Diamond", "Oklahoma Sky", and "Better in the Long Run". Spin magazine's Theon Weber lamented most of the lyrics, which he found "flat, even when they're Lambert's", while Jon Caramanica of The New York Times viewed it as a foray into alternative country featuring some of her least inspired singing and songwriting. Track listing Personnel Credits are adapted from AllMusic. Musicians Richard Bennett – guitar, bouzouki (13) Sarah Buxton – background vocals (tracks 4, 10) Brandi Carlile – background vocals (7) Matt Chamberlain – drums, percussion Glen Duncan – background vocals (2) Karen Fairchild – background vocals (11) Don Henry – background vocals (1) John Barlow Jarvis – piano Jay Joyce – guitar, clavinet (8), slide acoustic (8), pump organ (1) Josh Kelley – background vocals (8) Miranda Lambert – lead vocals Greg Leisz – dobro, steel guitar Betsey Long – background vocals (3) Patty Loveless – background vocals (6) Allison Moorer – background vocals (14) Gordon Mote – background vocals (2) Kacey Musgraves – background vocals (5) Stoney LaRue – background vocals (1) Kimberly Schlapman – background vocals (11) Randy Scruggs – background vocals (2, 9) Blake Shelton – duet vocals (12) Chris Stapleton – background vocals (13) Scotty Wray – background vocals (9) Randy Scruggs – banjo, guitar, mandolin Steve Winwood – B-3 Organ (8) Glenn Worf – bass guitar, upright bass, Picked piano (6), background vocals (2) Production Chuck Ainlay – engineering, mixing, producer Enzo Angileri – hair stylist Judy Forde-Blair – creative producer, liner notes Steven Christensen – vocal recording Tammie Harris Cleek – imaging, photo production Martin Feveyear – vocal recording Tracy Baskette-Fleaner – creative director, design Tiffany Gifford – stylist Emory Gordy, Jr. – vocal recording Brittany Hamlin – production coordination Ryan Krieg – assistant engineer, mixing assistant Frank Liddell – producer Stephen Marcussen – mastering Mylah Morales – make-up Randee St. Nicholas – photography Lisa Ramsey-Perkins