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It’s been three long years since the Dixie Chicks’ last release, Home. It’s also been three years since the country trio got into hot water for criticizing the President on the eve of the Iraq war. Taking the Long Way is their new CD, with all the songs written by the Chicks themselves. Have tempers cooled? Have amends been made? Is everything all warm and right again?
Nope.
Putting the controversy aside – well, actually you can’t. It’s right there on tracks one and seven. And it’s really there on track three, the single “Not Ready to Make Nice.” The song starts slow, builds to a demanding shout, says its piece and calms down again. It’s not a bad song.
Listening to the rest of the album, I realized that these are some of the best songs the group has ever performed. The arrangements may be a bit cluttered now and then, (I counted nine guitarists in the liner notes) but the vocals are as crisp, clear and touching as ever.
For instance, currently my favorite song is the heartbreaking “Silent House.” Mournful banjo and violin create a backdrop for the wonderful harmonies that are the Chicks’ trademark.
Another standout tune (and one that fans are buzzing about) is “Voice Inside My Head,” a sing-along-in-the-car number with a remarkable slide guitar break (one of the nine players seems to have listened to lots of George Harrison).
The Chicks rock out in “Lubbock or Leave It,” a heck-raising tune about small-minded, small town thinking. Great for cruising over the speed limit down back country roads:
“Temptation’s strong / Salvation’s gone/ I’m on my way / To Hell’s half acre.”
My daughter (the other Dixie Chicks fan in my family) and I agree that there are no ‘fun songs’ to be found here. No “Goodbye, Earl,” No “White Trash Wedding,” not even a “There’s Your Trouble.” The black and white, unsmiling faces on the cover and the interior photos underline the dearth of levity. These are serious times, they seem to be saying, but we’ll smile again someday. I hope.
Until then, enjoy some great music.
