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 | Title : Home
Author : Dixie Chicks
Release Date : 20020827
Binding : Audio CD
Regular Price : $18.98
Amazon.com Price : $13.49
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Editorial Reviews :
The Dixie Chicks aren't old enough to remember when radio programmed pop records next to country, rock, folk, and beyond, but their Texas DNA tells them that's the way music was meant to be heard. On Home, which they coproduced in Austin with Lloyd Maines, the father of lead singer Natalie Maines, they strip off the star-making gloss of Nashville and get down to the meat of the matter, turning out an acoustic record that gives a big Texas howdy to bluegrass. But that's only the framework they use to salute all their influences, from the raggedy rock of Little Feat (on Darrell Scott's irresistible 'Long Time Gone') to the pained ballads of Stevie Nicks (covering her melancholy 'Landslide') to the confessional Texas singer-songwriters who straddle the country-folk line (Patty Griffin, Bruce Robison). Maines's raw, irrepressible soprano remains a thing of wonder, as do the threesome's exquisite harmonies, which seem tighter and more organic than ever before. Still, the jaw-dropping thrills come from the passionate and masterful picking of Emily Robison on banjo, bluegrass guitarist Bryan Sutton, and Adam Steffey, whose fluid mandolin does Bill Monroe proud. Home, the Chicks' first release on their own record label, puts the front porch back into mainstream music, whatever the genre. And not a minute too soon.
Buyer Reviews :
Depending on your musical tastes, the Dixie Chicks take a giant step either backward or forward with their latest album. For those who gladly follow Shania Twain and Faith Hill into pop-land, 'Home' might be a step back. After all, some of the tracks on 'Fly' seemed to be leaning in an arena-pop/rock direction. For those who don't have knee-jerk reactions to banjos or those who realized, with the advent of 'Oh Brother Where Art Thou' et al, that acoustic country music could actually be cool, 'Home' will be the finest Chicks release yet.
The overall mood of the album is less playful and jokey than previous releases (especially 'Fly' with the cd-booklet picture of the trio emerging from the zipper on a pair of jeans), but the musicianship is at an alltime high. Especially with the guest starring mandolin plaing of Chris Thile from Nickle Creek, the instrumentation is hotter than ever.
Drums are in scarce supply, but you'll never miss them, what with all the picking and the tight harmonies. (Even more harmony on the next effort would be appreciated...with three voices that blend so well, it is surprising that the Chicks are as parsimonious with three-part harmony as they are.) Neither is there isn't a smash hit single on this album, but you won't miss that either, since each and every song is surprisingly well-crafted and melodic.
All in all, the Dixie Chicks have put out a terrific old-timey record, full of contemporary aesthetics and timeless musicianship. Surprisingly, this album should probably be filed closer to Alison Krauss & Union Station than the rest of the contemporary country pop (garbage) like Shania and Faith Hill.
Regardless of how you label it, however, Natalie Maines remains perhaps the rip-roaringest, tear-your-heart-out bluesiest, down-home funkiest vocalist in country music today. Add her to a great mix of talented harmony singers and musicians, and you have another terrific album from a band taking great leaps.
With any luck, the album will do well enough that the Chicks will keep leaping forward toward their own style of music, leaving Shania and Faith to pander all they please. Check out Shania for the latest marketing-machine, mass-produced, micro-managed, lowest-common-denominator entertainment. Check out the Dixie Chicks for great songwriting, talented musicians at the tops of their games, great vocals, an independant spirit, and a reflective album brimming over with talent and joy. It's no contest in my book.
(by martinit)
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