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Music Review: Dixie Chicks: "Home"
The Dixie Chicks are rebels. You wouldn't have known it after their solid but not particularly risky debut album (well,
their Nashville debut... not counting their early days). You kind of got a hint after their second album's biggest hit
was "Goodbye Earl", a song about poisoning an abusive husband, wrapping his corpse in a tarp and throwing it in a lake.
Not your standard Nashville fare. But now, on "Home", their third album, the Chicks have proven once and for all their
rebellious nature... this album my friends, has no drums.
What's the big deal, right? No drums... big deal. It IS a big deal... especially in corporate "new country" Nashville,
Tennessee where the goal of every country artist is to crossover to pop radio like Faith Hill and Shania. For the Chicks
to release an album of bluegrass ballads is not only rebellious, it's career suicide.
Actually, the career suicide thing hasn't quite panned out (unless you count lead singer Natalie Maines' comments about the
war on Iraq but that's another story). Sales of "Home" have been stellar as music fans are snapping up copies at
an amazing clip, proving that the "Oh Brother" phenomenon isn't quite over. This is good news for music fans. If a
band as high profile as the Chicks can say to Nashville "we aren't playing your game... we'll release good music
that we like" then perhaps others will follow. Whereas so much of what comes out of the country music scene these days
feels so forced... so canned... so SOULLESS, "Home" is the antithesis of these things. It's natural... it's sparkling with
life... and it is full of soul.
The record kicks off with the chart topping first single "Long Time Gone". This song sets the tone, especially in the lines
"We listen to the radio to hear what's cookin'
But the music ain't got no soul...
Now they sound tired but they don't sound haggard
They got money but they don't have cash
The lines ring of truth and also give props to Merle and Johnny, who would no doubt be proud.
Next comes a wonderfully tight rendition of Stevie Nicks' "Landslide". It's hard to say if this version is better than
the original because it is so different but it definitely comes close.
"Travelin' Soldier" is a song that walks close to the borderline of being a cheesy wartime story but rises above
it due to the arrangment and Maines' fantastically done vocals. This song, written by Bruce Robison (Emily's husband)
is a real highlight.
"Truth No. 2" is a Patty Griffin song that just rocks (even without drums!). Griffin can write a song like none other
as the Chicks can tell you as they have now covered three of her songs. This one is no exception as the catchy chorus
will probably end up running through your head while you try to sleep.
"White Trash Wedding" shows off the Chicks irreverant sense of humor. While the song is a bit stereotyped, being from
Tennessee, I can assure you, these things happen (as any Jerry Springer viewer is more than aware of). This is the album's
first all out bluegrass romp and it is exceptionally well played.
Next comes a trio of slow ballads. Some albums would grind to a halt with three ballads back to back but these are all well done
and don't suffer from sounding alike. "A Home" is a heartbreaking lament for a "house that might have been a home".
"More Love" is a beautifully done irish flavored song which reminds us that "to take us and hold us and lift us
above, if there's ever an answer, it's more love. "I Believe in Love" rounds out the trio and although good, is
probably the weakest track on the album.
Also somewhat weak is "Tortured, Tangled Hearts", a song by Maines, Martie Maguire, and Marty Stuart. Again, it isn't
a bad song and the Chicks play it well. It just isn't particularly memorable.
That problem is corrected on "Lil Jack Slade", a bluegrass instrumental that will leave your jaw on the floor. A highlight is
the guest mandolin of Nickel Creek's Chris Thile who turns in a mind-bending solo. Unbelieveable.
After a sweet lullaby ("Godspeed little man") comes the knockout closer, "Top of the World". The album's second Patty
Griffin song is the record's high point, both musically and emotionally. Written from the perspective of a man who
has just died looking back on his life with his family, Griffin masterfully leads the listener from curiosity to heartbreak.
I wished I'd a known you
I wished I'd a shown you
All the things I was on the inside
I'd pretend to be sleeping
When you come in in the morning
To whisper good-bye
Go to work in the rain
I don't know why... don't know why
As the song fades out, a string quartet swells up and takes the album out in a haunting instrumental.
Here's hoping the Chicks continue with their rebellious streak and continue to make the vital music they want to make. Here's
also hoping the public keeps reminding the powers that be that authenticity beats packaged every time.
Review by Greg Adkins
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