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Dixie Chicks

Open Wide Records, 2002

http://www.dixiechicks.com/

REVIEW BY: Jason Warburg

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 09/13/2002

The Dixie Chicks have come a long way in four short years.

It was in 1998 that they released Wide Open Spaces, their first album with new lead singerNatalie Maines after three independently released discs that barelyregistered on the Nashville radar screen. Maines had just beenrecruited into the band by founding members and sisters EmilyRobison (banjo/dobro/harmony vocals) and Martie Maguire(fiddle/harmony vocals).

The road since then has been a rollercoaster ride to say theleast. In those four years, the trio from Texas sold about azillion copies of the radio-friendly Wide Open Spaces and Fly, its somewhat sassier follow-up; won an armful ofcountry music awards; courted controversy with songs like "GoodbyeEarl," a lively tune about murdering an abusive husband; sued theirmusic label (Sony); got married; had a baby; settled the lawsuit;and came roaring back with Home.

While on hiatus (and in court), the Dixie Chicks startedrecording a few things at home, almost on a lark. While their firsttwo albums together had featured a slicked-up, full-band, modernNashville sound, the new material took shape free from the label'swatchful eye in a more organic setting. With no drums and preciouslittle electric guitar, Home's sound relies heavily on the playingof Chicks themselves, along with Natalie's father, steel guitarlegend Lloyd Maines, and a small group of loyal sidemen forsupport.