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 Ouch.... Nov 21, 2009
Not sure how any fan of the Dixie Chicks can listen to this album and not feel that they have been slapped in the proverbial face. Obviously, "Not ready to make nice" is a stab back at all the political fallout that has surrounded the DCs in recent years. From the opening cord of NRTMN, you can tell this is going to be a darker, more somber Dixie Chicks than we've seen in the past. Gone is the humor found in Goodbye Earl. Replaced with a darker, serious statement wrapped in great music and poignant lyrics. They get back to an upbeat musical tone with Everybody Knows; however, listening to the lyrics will reveal they are still pushing it right in your face. I have always had a high respect for the DCs because of their playing abilities and their song writing skills. That respect has sky-rocketed because of their willingness to stick to their principles and face the fallout - Everybody Knows their face and they're not afraid to put themselves out there. Now, to address the four star rating: the first half of the album is both lyrically and musically masterful; however, it is 15 tracks long (which is a lot of music). Unfortunately, the quality of the tracks wanes in the second half of the album. To me, the last few songs just aren't as well written and nothing resonates like it does in the first half of the album; so, I dinged them a star. All in all a great album.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Country-rock with passion Sep 15, 2009
A lot of political music doesn't hold up. Bob Dylan famously said of fellow folk musician Phil Ochs, "Phil is reporting, not song-writing." Today Dylan is a legend, and Ochs is remembered only by historians of 60's folks music.
In the end, music has to have passion, or it's just going through the motions. And passion is one thing this album has in spades. This is a personal album, a passionate album, not a political one, even though the personal events mentioned in many of the songs happened because of politics. Because it is a personal album it still holds up quite well now that "That One" is in office rather than GWB. Songs from the album are still on rotation in my iPod, such as "So Hard", "Voice Inside My Head", and "Silent House", that are just as good today as they were three years ago. People who claim it's a "political album" are reading something into the album that's not there. In the end this is a brilliant album about choices and the repercussions of choices and facing up to those consequences with courage and passion, and the question of who is POTUS is irrelevant to that theme.
2 of 15 found the following review helpful:
 Taking the Dead End is More like it Aug 27, 2009
The Dixie Chicks culminated their three year propaganda campaign with this album, a propaganda movie, and a last failed tour. While they got a pop from the grammy giveaway in sales for it, the music just didn't hold up. This, despite the presence of not FOUR co-writers, but 10 gifted professional songwriters that actually put the bitching and the lamenting to music and rode the controversy train on this album. The majority of the draw for this album was the Bush connection. With his departure, so went the liberal agenda seekers that had taken this music to double platinum. On its own and after the fire died down, the appeal left this album of vaguely hidden lamenting and blatant bashing to a tune. It is hard to appreciate the musicality when it is dripping with hatred and disdain for so many. The real shame is that the songs will drift independently over the next decade or so, then some gifted drama queen will latch on to them with a Joan Baez grip to support the current cause celebre'. Once again, the musicality will be vinegar filled. It is doubtful that these songs will be remembered by most. For me, they are the last gasping of a hateful crew, and I just can't listen to it without the tart taste rising in my mouth.
1 of 5 found the following review helpful:
 All sounds the same Aug 01, 2009
This is the first Dixie Chicks CD I've ever listened to, so, musically, for me, it was pleasant, but a bit generic. Forget the political hype they got mixed up in. As country/alt music, these tunes are just ok. Nothing really stood out as unforgettable to me. But it's not a throw-away either. Maybe it grows on you.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
For those who like to listen ! Jun 05, 2009
Saw the D C's on "Storytellers" and it inspired me to pick up the CD. My tastes lean toward guitar based, song oriented classic rock (Beatles, Zeppelin, Who etc). I was impressed with their musicianship and the songs seemed "hooky" enough to take a chance. I've received the CD and I must say this - "Silent House" is one of the most hauntingly beautiful songs I have ever heard. It does what music is supposed to do - move you. When Natalie hits the high note in the chorus, it just melts me. Love that song. (The rest of the disk is quite good too !)
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