Dixie Chicks - Taking the Long Way
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Free Music Notes for Taking the Long Way
Free Music Review: A Genuine Review
Hit: 5 Stars
We all witnessed the momentous rise of the Dixie Chicks. Sometimes it's a little hard to comprehend their success. With Wide Open Spaces in 1998, they went from unknowns to country music heavyweights. It all began with the Dixie Chicks' nomination at the 1999 Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and the upset win for Best Country Album over Shania Twain's immensely popular Come On Over. 7 years have gone by and every other album released by the Chicks (Fly and Home) went on to win Grammys for Best Country Album and received nods for Album Of The Year. But for a little `London Incident' blown big, this new Dixie Chicks album would have been the biggest thing in music this year.
Don't get me wrong; in my opinion the release of Taking The Long Way is still one of the musical events of the year, London Incident or not. I happen not to give a toss about what has happened along the way. If the music is good, who cares about anything else? Remember the backlash when Loretta Lynn wrote and sang about "The Pill" at the top of her career? (Who cares? She still won a Grammy for Best Country Album 2 years ago). If you'd like to read a politically charged review, then turn elsewhere, because this one is all about the music.
Let's get to the CD. I have waited restlessly for 20th May (the release date in Australia), feeding my insatiable crave only on single Not Ready To Make Nice (iTunes exclusive). First listen of the CD put a smile on my face. I grinned from ear to ear while each track played.
The general perception is that Taking The Long Way is closest to Fly. The tracks are louder, more richly orchestrated and layered with different instruments and feature prominent drumming and electric guitars. That's not necessarily a bad thing - it's a rockier side of the Chicks that we probably caught a glimpse of on Fly. You probably have read that the Chicks enlisted the aid of a couple of rock music instrumental maestros for this CD. John Mayer's electric guitar features on the 2006 Grammy Awards Best Country Song nominee "I Hope" (written as charity to Katrina Hurricane victims).
The CD, clocking at approximately 66 minutes, is filled with great songs from start till end. It's hard to pull out any one stand out track. However, you will find that some songs that don't seem to make an impression on the first listen will eventually become your favourites, like "Silent House" (the Chicks co-wrote this with Neil Finn; a moody song with an uplifting chorus) and "Favourite Year" (co-written with Sheryl Crow - something like you'll find on Sheryl Crow's Wildflower). Songs that get you thumping your feet, nodding your head and swinging your arms are "I Like It" and "Baby Hold On" (both are like a grittier, amped-up version of "Cowboy Take Me Away"). The `rockiest' song would have to be "Lubbock or Leave It", reminiscent of "Sin Wagon". "The Long Way Round", "Everybody Knows" and "Bitter End" are easy on the ears and could easily become staple replays. "Lullaby" is perhaps best described as "God Speed" Part 2. Oh, and then there's the feisty, all-emotional but so good song called "Not Ready To Make Nice", which sure packs a punch to those whom this sound is directed at (you know who you are).
The Dixie Chicks deliver the songs in top form - the harmonies are deliciously rich, Natalie's voice is as powerful and expressive as ever, and Martie and Emily's trademark violin, banjo, mandolin etc. are in abundance here. Essentially, the sound is primarily acoustic with a lot of background strumming, nice organic drum beat and soaring choruses. You might like to know that while the CD is produced by renowned rock producer Rick Rubin, the Chick's sound have not been jeopardized. Ultimately, Taking The Long Way is still a country CD, full of everything that the Dixie Chicks are so well known and loved for. The only difference this time is that the Chicks co-write every song on this album, and it sure is mature songwriting.
Overall, Taking The Long Way is a mighty fine CD and is a great, pleasurable listening experience. Three things I especially like are:
1) Natalie's voice (with occasional yodelling)
2) Emily strumming the banjo
3) Martie playing the violin
When all 3 happens, you get swept right off your feet with the awesome, satisfying, unmistakable sound of the Dixie Chicks. If you have any intentions of getting your hands (and ears) on some good music, you'd be very foolish to avoid or resist this one.
Liam
24 May 2006
Free Music Review: Back With A Vengeance!
Hit: 5 Stars
At long last the Chicks are back in a big way, better than ever, with a brilliant new CD, full of moving emotionally charged songs. The Dixie Chicks have only improved with this latest cd, composing all the songs themselves, maturing lyrically, and demonstrating their fine musicianship by playing and singing their hearts out. Forget the idiots who squabble about whether they are leaving country music behind; the music is fine, the songs damn good. That's all that matters. You can take the Chicks out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the Chicks! All this should stand as proof to the moron redneck contingent that the Chicks' career is far from dead, no matter the cheap shots by the feeble-minded out there who believe that singers if they're female should look pretty, sing pretty and leave voicing opinions to the good ol' boys. Would these same people have told Johnny Cash to keep his mouth shut, or Hank Williams, or Willie Nelson, or Waylon Jennings? Imagine the response any of these musicians would have proffered in return. The reactionary tantrum perpetrated by many of the country music mainstream--audience members, musicians and radio personalities--can only be described as anti-American. Proud example of folks whose nationalistic pride is so easily threatened that a comment by a popular music group can send people into such a tizzy. Nothing like conformity to prop one's confidence up. The songs on this cd are obviously personal statements, co-written by each of the group's members, and they are clearly as outspoken as ever, dealing with themes that matter, that are important. It's obvious that most of the people slamming this album out of hand are doing so from the high ground of having never heard the entire cd, and are also clearly spouting off still entrenched in the aftermath of the fallout on the Bush statement. Get over it, people. You are nothing but narrow-minded when everything you read or listen to has to be written or composed by people whose opinions completely coincide with your own. And yet, if you believe the iconic image country music loves to promote about itself, it just adores a rebel, an outlaw. Well, outlaws and rebels do their own thing. They don't conform, they don't spout the tired popular line; they say what they think. Or is it that the Dixie Chicks are women and therefore not entitled to be outlaws? If country music establishment really cared about the things it purports to care about it would have treated the likes of Gram Parsons, Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, Lyle Lovett, John Prine and the Dixie Chicks far better than it has or does, accepting or even lauding these musicians usually very late in the game, or after the fact, once they're gone. There isn't a bad song on this cd, on the contrary, each and every one is fine, and of course the harmonies are great. "Not Ready To Make Nice" is as brilliant a song as ever composed or performed by the best country musicians. "Lubbock Or Leave It" should shake and rattle a few reactionary souls down in the state of Texas out of their stupor and hypocrisy. "The Long Way Around," "Easy Silence," "Everybody Knows," "Lullaby," "Silent House"--how can you pick favorites when the whole cd is full of them? Bravo to the Dixie Chicks for taking care to put out a cd of beautifully crafted songs, songs that are powerful, moving and stirring. Bravo for being gutsy enough to put your careers on the line, and for sticking to your beliefs, unlike so many out there who waved their flags and supported Bush, and only changed their minds after nearly 2,400 U.S. soldiers died in Iraq. Or worse, those who will stand by Bush no matter how many lies are told, how many constitutional rights are impinged upon, or how many lives are lost. More country musicians should come out in support of the Dixie Chicks, instead of hiding behind their flags and cheap talk about "protecting freedom"--ironic when the Chicks were threatened and boycotted for practicing one of those very freedoms! Come on, stand by your fellow musicians, and practice what you preach. Anyone out there who is interested in good music, as opposed to the absurdity of punishing a musical group because the members don't think the way you think (?) and dare to speak their thoughts, instead of being nice good conformist puppets, buy this cd and listen and decide for yourself--wow, what a concept! Imagine that!
Free Music Review: A golden nugget shining brightly as The Dixie Chicks passionately, furiously rock on!
Hit: 5 Stars
This CD is chock full of really great music. The Dixie Chicks combine country music and good old rock and roll to produce a whopper of an album. I know that their politics are controversial; so here I am simply reviewing the CD and not their politics.
The CD starts off strong with "The Long Way Around." This song has a terrific musical arrangement including good use of the guitar and she sings of a woman who's not ready to settle down. Could she be implying that she's not ready to give up her fight for her political beliefs? Perhaps; some of the songs on this album have a quasi autobiographical feeling to them as well.
For example, The Dixie Chicks perform "Not Ready To Make Nice." In this song, which is very well written and performed with a great use of the guitar at the very beginning of the song, The Dixie Chicks sing of a woman who just isn't ready to forgive even though she knows forgiveness "is good." She's "still mad as hell" with someone she feels has wronged her. The women singing together share a passion in their voices that imparts a strong, powerful force to their feelings.
"Lubbock Or Leave It" is a great rock and roll flavored song that is perhaps the most autobiographical on this CD. As you know, The Dixie Chicks weren't universally welcomed after singer Natalie Maines' negative remarks about Bush in 2003. The fast pace of the song highlights the fury the woman feels. She sarcastically makes fun of "Southern hospitality" and asks the question "How will I get to heaven now?" The elements of both rock and roll mixed with country at the end of the song give this track an awesome punch to it!
Some of the other songs on this album are very touching and emotional about love relationships starting or just about to break up. With the song "Lullaby" a woman sings of the simple pleasures of just cuddling with her new lover and wonders "is forever enough" of a time that they can spend together. "Easy Silence" opens with some awesome guitar chords and has the theme of a woman who's just so glad to be able to have a reprieve from the stresses of everyday life just by spending time with her man. There's a brief autobiographical reference to radio stations that didn't play their music as well. "I Like It" is about the joys of life with a new love; and "Silent House" deals with the theme of a love that is now gone.
Amazon notes that all of the songs on this CD are co-written by The Dixie Chicks themselves. In addition, other writers on this CD include Sheryl Crow, Gary Louris, Mike Campbell, and Keb' Mo'. Look also for Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench and guitarist Mike Campbell to contribute energetic and tenacious accompaniment that increases the sense of raw passion and total honesty throughout this album. I agree when Amazon notes that the group is maturing very nicely. They are increasingly putting their own personal stamp on their work and the payoff is enormous as the songs on this album are really outstanding. The musical arrangements are all very well done and the ladies sing beautifully. Moreover, there are honest and autobiographical references throughout the CD; for example, The Dixie Chicks clearly state that they're "not ready to make nice" (make up) with the current Bush administration.
One thing to note, please: because I am reviewing the CD and not their politics I am simply sticking to the facts here and not taking sides. (I do, however, support the right of both sides to freedom of speech.)
The final song, "I Hope" is very beautiful. Employing a gospel influenced flavor of music, the song represents a type of prayer that in the future there will be no war so that "we can all lose the pain and misery." Amen to that!
In short, this CD packs a terrific punch and it leaves the listener wanting more. Although Amazon writes that you might need to play it more than once to appreciate its' beauty; I have a feeling that even the first time around people will love this CD. Sure, the group has their politics; but the music is what's being reviewed here--and the quality of this is excellent. Get this CD and enjoy it many times over! The Dixie Chicks have made a great contribution once again to the arts!
Free Music Review: Like fine wine... better and better
Hit: 5 Stars
"Taking the Long Way" is a very good release from the Dixie Chicks and is quickly becoming one of my favorite CDs altogether. For fans of the Chicks, there is plenty to like here. They are in wonderful form and the music, which is very personal, is more mature yet still contains all the elements that made us like them to begin with. This isn't a clone of "Home," but that was not the intent. The sound is purposely a little less country than previous efforts, and there are the welcome additions of Mike Campbell's guitar work and Rick Rubin as producer. Although "Home" was excellent, the reason I prefer this CD to that one is that intensely personal sentiments are being expressed here. Some recurring themes are: lost loves; past relationships; moving on; bitterness; anger; compunction (and lack thereof), anguish and fallout from "The Incident."
Even though the entire release is solid, highlights for me include:
1. The Long Way Around - This is "My Way," Dixie Chicks style: toe-tapping, harmonious, up-tempo and fairly rocking. They have played by their own rules and are content with that. A good way to start the CD.
2. Easy Silence - Rhythmic, Enya-like background vocals, even a triangle! A heart-felt thank you song for a protector: but whom?
3. Not Ready to Make Nice - First single. Neil Young-like opening guitar; No regrets, deal with the hatred they received after the Incident. I love it!
6. Lullaby - wow! This song is exquisite, lilting and quixotic. It is an outstanding song and is my favorite here.
7. Lubbock or Leave It - A rocker, though still has harmonies and is funny (the line, "couldn't keep me on my knees" and the wonderfully sarcastic refrain, "how will I ever get to heaven now?")
9. Favorite Year - strumming guitar; Beatles-like; woman wanting to hear how much she meant to past lover; this song is for anyone who wants to rekindle past love
11. I Like It - a little funky, rocking, "bop;" fine, staccato and melodic electric guitar work; definitely a sing along; the line, "gonna get so high you won't be able to bring me down" refers to what? Drugs? Alcohol? High on life?
14. I Hope - Offering of hope and peace for the near future; preaching to the holier-than-thou and self-righteous with the message: stop the hate and advocating killing; love one another, etc.; it sounds like a church sermon, with organ softly playing and back-up singers the choir, but in a way that fits the Chicks' style. Would be right at home on Motown Records. Great!
The way these songs alternate between directly addressing "you" the lover and "you" the fan makes it seem as though the two are being conflated, and that she is longing to re-establish a relationship. Although I'm not certain this was intentional, this is a contradictory message because they have repeatedly said they have no desire to mend relationships with those who turned on them after The Incident.
Though I am not a big fan of country music in general, I have been listening to the Chicks since "Fly" because I really like their attitudes, harmonies and sound in general. They simply make very good music and I appreciate that. Being a progressive, I was naturally drawn to them even more by The Incident. Politics aside, I would think anyone who appreciates good music would find this an easily accessible CD. However, this was not made for those who are incapable of separating the Chicks' music from their political views, and it is therefore doubtful Larry the Cable Guy is going to go running back to the Chicks any time soon; then again, who wants to associate with someone like him?
Detractors will likely point to songs that sound like whining and include complaints of poor treatment ("Everybody Knows" and "So Hard"); however, I see it as one big "F.U." to those who turned on them after The Incident. If the Charlie Daniels crowd doesn't like it, too damn bad. The easy thing for the Chicks to do after The Incident would have been to split up and fade into obscurity. I, for one, am very glad they did not because they are extremely talented and I look forward to hearing more of their music. Now, where is the collaboration with James Taylor?
Free Music Review: It takes a few listens. After that....get ready to be blown away!
Hit: 5 Stars
I think all of the hype surrounding this CD got to me, and when I listened to it, at FIRST I was very dissapointed. Because look at the high hopes you get when viewing the Dixie Chicks. First we get the amazing flawless single "Not Ready To Make Nice". Which was an instant likeable song. Catchy, powerful, dark, depressing...all of the key ingredients packed into one 4 minute song. Then there was the ever so eye catching album cover. And we all know 50% of the reason for buying a cd is the album cover. It's all the ways of marketing. And this cover aims to please. A beautiful black and white photo with the chicks getting out of a vintage cab. This definitly has a 1940's feel.
Now for the music. Like I said in the title of the review, it takes quite a few listens to get used to. Luckily on first listen, there are a few INSANT likeable tracks that will make you want to give the cd a second chance.
Track #1, "The Long Way Around" is the perfect track to open the cd with. A nice sing along guitar driven mid-tempo track, describing how the chicks friends and family have seem to find a good life and they found it quite fast, while the chicks explain how they're taking the long way to finding happiness.
Track #2, "Easy Silence" the first instant likeable track. An average ballad in the works. But what makes the song touching is during the middle of the song when all the instruments stop and it's just a few keys touched on the piano being played hauntingly while Natalie's voice captures you and blends beautifuly with those few piano key strokes.
Track #6, "Lullaby" the accoustic song of the album. For the first two minutes the only instrument played is a breezy guitar playing the same hook over and over again. Natalie's voice is so simple and unique in this song. Then when her voice is combined with the other 2 ladies and you get that harmonious feel...you realize there is something quite special here. A beautiful and gentle song that is truly a soothing lullaby.
Track #7, "Lubbock Or Leave It" is very out of place on the album. Don't get me wrong, the song is amazing (after getting used to it for a few times). But this is the only UPBEAT song. And boy is it ever. The intro alone just makes you want to lose control and start dancing. And while it is a great song, it doesn't fit in with the rest of the other ballad and mid-tempo songs.
Tracks 9 and 10, "Favorite Year" and "Voices In My Head". Now this is where the album grabs your attention. But don't overlook these songs when I did. When I first listened to them, all I thought was "No strong melody or catchy chorus". But that's not what every song has to have to make it a good song. The touching and personal lyrics in this song will really make you think. Especialy "Voices In My Head". The rhythm of the song is very messy, and just has different things happening to it within 5 minutes. But the song tells a very touching story. A story about a man Natalie met 10 years ago in the summer, and how she'll never forget how he touched her life. But now she is married to someone else and has a child. And although she seems happy, she can't help but wonder what her life would be like if she decided to be with the other guy instead.
Track #12 "Baby Hold On" a very emotional song about making an effort to stay with the person you love when things get rough. Martie and Emily just keep repeating "Baby Hold in the chorus and sound flawless and harmonious when they do, while Natalie does what she does best and belts out very strong and passionate lyrics. When they combine together that way it just turns into a powerful track. One I guarentee you will have stuck in your head.
A fan of good music will end up liking this album at the least. Thankfully there are a few instant likeable tracks (The Long Way Around, Easy Silence, Everybody Knows, Lullaby, and Baby Hold On) that will keep you interested and will hopefully ease you into loving the album the way that I have. Bravo Dixie chicks. You have been through the worst, and came out with the best. I admire you!