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Dixie
Chicks - Taking The Long Way (Columbia)
Released: May, 2006
Everyone says what they want
to say.
Everyone reacts the way they want to react. So long as you keep it between the
lines, that's the way it works in the Land of the Free. But if you're a
country music star, you'd better not dis mom, apple pie, or...President
Bush.
The group's Martie McGuire
tells NPR that there's simply an expectation that country music is
"...going to be conservative, and it's going to be safe..." Who
among us didn't say, "What was she thinking?" when Dixie Chicks lead
singer Natalie Maines...well, you know. You get to do dumb things in the
Land of the Free, too.
Three years forward, now. I don't think the Chicks are counting on
forgiveness any time soon. The country is still there, but there's an edge
that ought to appeal to other audiences, as well, and help from folks like
Bonnie Raitt and Keb' Mo'.
The definitive song from this
album is "Not Ready To Make Nice:"
It's too late to make it right
| 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
But there's "hit hook" stamped
on "Taking The Long Way," and "I Like It." And you should take just
one listen to the tune that Keb' Mo' helped with, "I Hope."
Interpret the songs how you like. The only theme I hear is that things get
tough when people don't act in expected ways.
So - as I write this, the only place I'm finding a Dixie Chicks' song on a
radio playlist is London.
And that's a shame - because this really is a quality outing. And whether
it applies or not, the line that keeps going around inside my head is Arlo
Guthrie's - "If you want to end the war and stuff, you gotta sing loud."
So. Maybe not so stupid.
This disc is highly recommended.
  Three
and one-half microphones (out of four)
- Doug Boynton
(05/28/06) |
