Dixie Chicks - Taking the Long Way
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Free Music Notes for Taking the Long Way
Free Music Review: Best CD of the Year
Hit: 5 Stars
Without a doubt, this is the best music on an individual CD that I've heard all year from start to finish. And why not, when you have Rick Rubin producing and the likes of Gary Louris (Jayhawks front man and songwriter extraordinare) and Dan Wilson (Semisonic guitarist and songwriter) lending their considerable talents to more than half of the tracks. There are also contributions by John Mayer, Neil Finn and other industry heavyweights. There's a lot of energy here and this CD comes out swinging from the first cut, the poignant "The Long Way Around", and never lets up. The thing that really resonated with me about this CD was that it has a maturity and a soulfulness to it that the Chicks have never fully displayed before. Obviously, what was laid down on this CD was very cathartic for the Chicks and songs like "Not Ready To Make Nice" are powerful statements and reflect that catharsis. The music and lyrics on this CD reflect a group of talented young musicians who have absorbed (and lived through) a big dose of how ugly life at the top can be when you are in the entertainment industry in this country. Your every word and move is chronicled and played back for you to defend at any given time. The Chicks should not be judged for any political statements that they have made, but by the music that they create. That being said, there are no duds on this CD.
My personal favorites include, "Not Ready To Make Nice", "The Long Way Around", "I Hope", "Favorite Year", "Everybody Knows", "Bitter End", and "Baby Hold On." I would encourage people who like Americana-Type music (Robert Earl Keen, JR., Son Volt, Wilco, The Jayhawks, Ryan Adams, Flatlanders, etc.) to give this CD a listen. I think Americana fans, if they are not into the Chicks because they feel they've lived too long in the "New Country" genre, will be pleasantly surprised at how easily The Chicks can reside in that Americana groove between country and rock. Give yourself a gift by getting this CD. This is as good as it gets, in any genre.
Free Music Review: A Review From Someone Who Has Actually Heard This CD
Hit: 5 Stars
Take a close look. As of this writing none of the one star reviews here has much of anything to say about the actual music contained on this CD. One line reviews with no specifics are not written by those who have actually heard this. They all are just here to bash the Dixie Chicks for having the audacity to have a different opinion on the current occupant of the Oval Office. You can safely dismiss these "reviews" as merely the efforts of those with a political agenda, and those who continue to drink the Kool-Aid.
As someone who has bought this CD and given it several run throughs I can say that this is a most impressive effort from the Chicks. The sound is different, to be sure. While the fiddles, banjos, and mandolins are still there they have taken more of a back seat than in the past and while it might be tempting to call this a "pop" album be rest assured that producer Rick Rubin (Tom Petty, Beastie Boys, Johnny Cash, etc.) keeps a firm grip on the slickness factor.
What remains from the old days are those harmonies. On songs like "The Long Way Around," "Easy Silence," "Favorite Year," and the no holes barred first single "Not Ready To Make Nice," these harmonies are as tight as ever, if not tighter and they only serve to further accentuate the highly melodic nature of these songs. Make no mistake. This is very much a singer's AND a musician's album.
Believe it or not, everybody has a right to his or her own opinion, and this applies to the Dixie Chicks as well. Those who can't see past the lies and failures of the administration will continue to take out their anger at the Chicks and will miss out on some great music in the process. Sure, they too have a right to their opinion, but until they start yelling "shut up and sing" at Toby Keith, Ted Nugent, and other apologists for the administration their inconstancy at which celebrities are allowed to voice political views will render these screams thoroughly hypocritical.
Free Music Review: When it comes down to it... It is about the music
Hit: 5 Stars
I have been stunned by the amount of vitriol shown these talented ladies. Vitriol heaped upon them because of something one of them said. Even on this website there are reviews written by people who obviously have not really listened to the album, but felt it necessary to write a mean-spirited review. The fact that Natalie's sentiments about the war are now felt by the majority of Americans does not enter into the conversation. In the absolutely beautiful "Lullaby" the Chicks sing:
How long do you want to be loved?
Is forever enough? Is forever enough?
How long do you want to be loved?
Is forever enough.. because I am never ever giving you up.
It seems that they are not only singing to a lover but about the making of their music. This album is a superb, heartfelt album. Contrary to what some have said this album is not an angry treatise on the war and a total move away from country, but great music with country creds intact. Even the defiant "Not Ready to Make Nice" stands on its own as a great song. It is nice to see that this song is becoming a hit even though country radio has ingored it (#1 VH-1 song, last week moving up 35 places on the Billboard Pop Chart to #39 after almost disappearing). From "Lubbuck or Leave" to "Easy Silence" and the title song, the Chicks prove that they are one of the best things to come along in music in the last 10 years.
The Dixie Chicks have been under attack before. The song "Goodbye Earl" got them in trouble because they suggested that an abused woman should kill her husband with tongue in cheek. They refused to back down and apologize for that song and do not need to apologize for anything now. Great music speaks for itself. Country has tried to ignore this album but it debuted at #1 on the Billboard Country Chart. It is obvious that many people in country knew that it is all about the music. Give this album a listen...
Free Music Review: HOORAY for speeking your mind fifth admendment at work
Hit: 5 Stars
You didn't say anything that wasn't on alot of other peoples minds. You just had the nerve to say it. You have the right to speak your mind like anyone else. I'm just sorry the world ostersized you all. It's not right. ANYONE that puts themself in the political area is open to criticism. Pros and cons. They need to take the cons as well as the pros. As the American people have a right to speak. We are not one people therefore we don't have one mind. We can not have one opinion and anyone that thinks this is sadly mistaken.
Most of you out there owe these ladies an apology! You made their life a nightmare. It's a good thing they are a graceful as they are and not sueing someone for character assasination or anything else their agent and attorney can come up with.
Not only have they lost alot of money in sales and concerts. They have not recorded anything so record sales are lost for years of previous recordings as well as ones they could have been doing.
These ladies have wonderful music! I love it! ALot of people do!
Before anyone starts throwing stones so to speak look at yourselves and think what you have said about anyone or anything. And then say if you were right to do what you have done to these young ladies.
Besides no one has the right to say something about someone is wrong in what the have done and publically ridicule them and cause them harm in any way, which is what happened. They were judged for one having an opinion. An opionion that happened to differ fron a few million or so other people, so what!
How often have you had an opinion that was different than someone elses? I'd say probably alot.
I say you go ladies and you have been right all along. I'm glad you have families now. God has blessed you in many ways. Maybe now the world will welcome you in many ways. They never should have shut you out and forsaken you in the first place.
Free Music Review: INCREDIBLE WORK
Hit: 5 Stars
OK... I did the math so you don't have to: at this point of 532 reviews - 84% loved it (4 & 5 stars) to (even counting 3 stars) 16% - without the 3 stars it's 10%. Now you can choose to read on or go buy it, NOW. :)
Yes, I have been a DC fan over the years. Yes, I was sad to watch them go through the backlash. I knew, however, that it would only be a matter of time before they would be back. They have taken much needed time to regroup, enjoy their families, etc. BUT, now, they have gotten back down to the business of making some great music.
Yes, there are some songs that are, obviously, responding and sharing on the emotions and rollercoaster ride that all the political hoopla caused. I am glad they shared it. It made me even more glad to have them back.
Political stuff aside, the rest of the songs strike chords, emotionally and musically. They do what all really good writing and arrangements should do - make you tear up or laugh AND make you think. I have gone through each and every one of the ordeals they sing of and really found EVERY song to be very enjoyable and relevant, but even if only a couple are relevant to you, the rest are still great listening.
As with any recording one likes, a few songs will stick and run around in your head. I am blown away by the fact that each one of these songs, at different times, has found its way into my psyche, and I find myself humming, even singing all of them even when the cd is not in the player.
So, my recommendation is a resounding "YES!" to those who might actually be looking at these reviews to determine whether or not to buy this latest offering. To those just looking to identify with the DC's - YAHOO. To those of you who just want to diss them with no real knowledge of the music - GET A LIFE!
ENJOY!!