Taking The Long Way [Import]

The Dixie Chicks, the biggest-selling female band in music history have a new CD, have you heard? It has garnered positive reviews from every site I have seen. Word of mouth is tremendous and their CD is already the number 1 on Amazon.com for weeks. How does it measure up to a fan? Every song was co-written by a Dixie Chick and this is their greatest achievement in their four CD's. Melodic, thought provoking, back to their country roots and intertwining stories of their lives that resonate with strong feelings and personal philosophies.

Everyone knows of the controversy with the group, so we will not belabor it here except to say that it helped to generate their best CD to date. Natalie Maines says "It was awesome ... to be angry, to be sure that you're right and that the things you do matter. You don't realize that you're not feeling those feelings until you do. And then you realize how much more interesting life is." Its opening salvo: "Forgive/Sounds good/Forget/I is not sure I could." Its fierce chorus: "It's too late to make it right/I probably wouldn't if I could/`Cause I'm mad as hell/Can't bring myself to do what it is you think I should." Or the bridge: "How in the world can the words that I said/Send somebody so over the edge/That they'd write me a letter/Sayin' that I better shut up and sing/Or my life will be over."

The CD was written with first rate singers and writers, partners ,Semisonic's Dan Wilson but also including the Jayhawks' Gary Louris, Sheryl Crow, Neil Finn, Keb' Mo', Pete Yorn and Linda Perry. It has been written that this CD is an extension of SoCal rock tradition like Stevie Nicks and Linda Ronstandt. The backing group consists of a few Heartbreakers, as in Tom Petty; Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the best producer in the business, Rick Rubin.

``Lubbock or Leave It'' talks about the small town hypocrisy facing Natalie Maines

``Everybody Knows'' discusses the look at the cult of celebrity.

``Silent House,'' is a heartbreaker about Natalie Maines's grandmother, who has Alzheimer's disease.

"It's So Hard When It Doesn't Come Easy" addresses infertility. ("I think we feel a responsibility to break down some barriers," says Maguire. "It's much more of a common problem than people realize.")

"I Hope," co-written with Keb' Mo', during last year's telethon benefiting the victims of Hurricane Katrina; is the winner here. A wonderful hymn with the resounding refrain "I Hope".

"Baby Hold On" is a image of domestic life.

"Lullaby," which they call "a gift to our kids."

"Not Ready To Make Nice" has been written about ad nauseaum but is powerful.

"Favorite Year" co-written with Sheryl Crow, talks about how they started and what year was the best.

This CD is a tribute to these Superstars, renegades, innovators, heroes, villains, and moms, The Dixie Chicks. The lyrics from "Favorite Year" say it all:

You looked at me like no one else

But sometimes love just doesn't seem to conquer all

We search for someone else to blame

But sometimes things can't stay the same

But would you know me now

Would you lay me down beside you

Tell me everything I want to hear

Like that was your favorite year

Like that was your favorite year You looked at me like no one else

But sometimes love just doesn't seem to conquer all

We search for someone else to blame

But sometimes things can't stay the same

Highly, highly recommended. prisrob 5-23-06

This is my favorite Dixie chicks Album. I was introduced to their music with this one and have never gone back.

In my opinion their best album yet. Well written, well balanced and musically more interesting as they've veered away from straight country/bluegrass into a melting pot of styles that will appeal to a lot of new fans. Country purists may bash it, but music lovers with an open mind will understand. I own most of their albums but this is the one that will stay in my player the longest.