I was hoping to get my second shot along with Sheila today but alas, no extras available so I’ll wait my turn a few more days. I’m champing at the bit for the jab, though…
Disc 1489 is…. Taking the Long Way
Artist: Dixie Chicks/The Chicks
Year of Release: 2006
What’s up with the Cover? Glamour! Sheila tells me this “smoky eye” look was all the rage back in 2006. I like the Goth girl look more than most, but this particular smoky eye begs the question “are they zombies or are the vampires?” I’ll be hoping for vampire. It just feels like a better way to die, am I right? Either way, I would happily get in the car with these ladies.
How I Came To Know It: I was a fan when this record came out, but I didn’t buy it right away, even though I loved the big single. I think I hesitated out of fear that the record might feature a lot of pop production. Eventually I remembered that great music is not confined by genre and went and grabbed a copy.
How It Stacks Up: I have five Chicks albums which is all of them with this particular lineup of Emily Robison, Martie Maguire and Natalie Maines. I like all five records, but one has to come in last, and “Taking the Long Way” is that one. Since this is the final review of the albums in my collection, here is a recap:
- Home: 4 stars (reviewed at Disc 140)
- Wide Open Spaces: 3 stars (reviewed at Disc 407)
- Gaslighter: 3 stars (reviewed at Disc 1411)
- Fly: 3 stars (reviewed at Disc 548)
- Taking the Long Way: 3 stars (reviewed right here)
Ratings: 4 stars
My fears that “Taking the Long Way” would be wrecked by a lush pop production turned out to be unfounded. Not because it doesn’t feature that sound – it totally does – but because they make that sound work.
Part of this is the brilliance of producer Rick Rubin. I love that no matter what artist Rubin takes under his wing he always manages to locate the essence of what makes that artist special and bring it to full flower. He’s produced such disparate acts as LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, Johnny Cash and Tom Petty and lands each of them just right.
“Taking the Long Way” presented an additional challenge. The Chicks’ previous album, “Home” was a return to their roots, heavy on the country and bluegrass influences. Following its release in 2002 they were rejected by many in the mainstream country world over a now-famous exclamation at one of their live shows. It was a deeply unfair and unwarranted response, but the Chicks were not cowed by it. Quite the contrary.
Instead they freed themselves from the trappings of genre, coming back with a record that fully embraced the pop influences that had flared intermittently in their previous records. Rubin, true to the artist as always, came in alongside them and helped make this evolution a sonic success. The result is mostly a pop record, but with a crossover into rock and country that would no doubt make the ghost of Gram Parsons proud.
In terms of tunes these songs are bold, brash with anthemic melodic structures that will have your heart soaring. The Chicks are all talented songwriters, and while many of the songs have shared credit, I can hear their bluegrass roots echo delightfully through the bones of these tunes.
Thematically, the record explores both the complex themes of fame (and when fame goes wrong in a fickle crowd) as well as the juxtaposition of the safe harbour represented in home and family.
On the fame front, the standout is “Not Ready to Make Nice” an anthem for the Chicks in response to their critics, but also handy for anyone who has decided they are going to stand their ground and speak their truth. The Chicks have been told to pipe down and their response is clear; a firmly raised and fully erect middle finger.
The song benefits from some great and unequivocal language, but the slow build in the arrangement also does a great job of underscoring a rising anger, and a greater still determination to be heard.
“The Long Way Around” is another winner, picking up on a theme first explored years earlier on the song “Wide Open Spaces”. That song is full of hope and promise of a young woman hitting the road for the first time. “Long Way Around” is that same road from the other side of experience, still thankful they took the long way.
On the family side, we have “Easy Silence” which captures the importance of a supportive home front. It is a gentle love song about those who provide a shield just by virtue of the peace and stillness they bring to a relationship. I think “Lullaby” is about having a kid. That’s not usually my jam but is such a pretty expression of motherly love I liked it anyway. Hey, I’ve got a heart too, friends.
As with the Chicks’ most recent record, “Gaslighter” all that lush production doesn’t let the individual talents of Emily and Martie shine as much as I like. They are both brilliant, but pop doesn’t afford those constant solo moments to show off like bluegrass does. Pop does love a singer, however, and Natalie Maines does a masterful job of being big and bold on the anthems, and sweet and vulnerable on the back home tunes.
The record features a ton of stars. There are a total of 18 guest musicians, and in addition to the oft -employed pedal steel of Lloyd Maines, we get treated to Mike Campbell on guitar, Benmont Tench on various keyboards and the legendary Bonnie Raitt singing backup. I’m not sure where they all appear, though. Rubin has decided to blend it all into a symphony of sound.
While this is a good record, it is too damned long, with 14 songs, and well past 66 minutes of running time. None of the tunes are terrible, but the Chicks should have shaved 2-3 songs and 10 minutes off to allow those songs remaining to stand out better.
The album ends with the soulful sounds of “I Hope” which is essentially a church revival calling upon us all to cleave to our better selves. I’m a sucker for songs that appeal for us all to come together and smile on our brothers, and this one ticked all the boxes. It also has some of Maines best vocal work and some sweet Chicks’ harmony, standing out stark against the suddenly very light touch on the production. Rubin’s magic is still here, but apart from some sweet soloing for the organ and the electric guitar, he is content to shut up and let these three amazing women sing.
Best tracks: The Long Way Around, Easy Silence, Not Ready to Make Nice, Lullaby, I Hope
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