The Dixie Chicks have always walked a fine line between down-home country music and just enough pop/folk credibility that allowed non country listeners to enjoy their quirky music style and perfectly blended harmonies. For anyone who might be confused, ”Home” is a complete about face for the chicks who can now put to rest any notions that they are indeed not a “real” country act. The album is earthy, organic and very country.

- Track Listing -

01. Long Time Gone
02. Landslide
03. Travelin’ Soldier
04. Truth No. 2
05. White Trash Wedding
06. A Home
07. More Love
08. I Believe In Love
09. Tortured, Tangled Hearts
10. Lil’ Jack Slade
11. Godspeed
12. Top Of The World


- Who Are The Dixie Chicks? -

Emily Erwin: banjo, Dobro
Martie Maguire (formerly Seidel): fiddle
Natalie Maines: vocals

The album begins with ”Long Time Gone” which although it has not one shred of pop sound, is probably the closest to “Fly” as you’re going to get. Where the chicks have always excelled is in being able to blend their musical prowess all the while showcasing the fact that they are all capable singers and can harmonize their arses off. ”Landslide” which originally performed by Fleetwood Mac is a solid remake. It gets a country facelift but does maintain the integrity of the original.

”Travelin’ Soldier” is so down home that for a second I want to put on some cowboy boots (and then I wake up from that nightmare) – honestly, it’s a beautiful song that follows the tradition of the majority of the album. “Home” is primarily acoustic: vocals, fiddle, banjo with very little additions otherwise. It’s as if the chicks who have finally been freed from their Sony contract are just returning to the fundamentals of the music that they love. ”Truth No. 2” has a nice loop in the chorus that will undoubtedly have you tapping your toe and you really hear Maines being backed by her cohorts for an interesting sound.


”White Trash Wedding” is about just what the title says – a gold old-fashioned, down home, country, white trash jamboree: “you can’t afford no ring/ you can’t afford no ring/ I shouldn’t be wearing white/ and you can’t afford no ring”. The banjo and fiddle work on this song is amazing if you really just listen for subtleties.

”More Love” has a country sound but Maines’ vocals actually don’t have that strong country sound until the chorus breaks. It doesn’t take away one shred of loveliness from the song but yet, shows her range as one of the better voices in music. ”Lil’ Jack Slade” is strictly instrumental and a really fun and smart way to showcase the talent of the two chick instrumentalists. Although they do sing (well, in fact) sometimes their talent is overshadowed by Maines’ big vocals and this is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate their musical ability.

”Godspeed” was originally written as a lullaby and it sounds as such. The song is very nurturing and warm and one of the only songs where the production is obvious although it isn’t overbearing at all.

- Final Thoughts -

If you’re one of those people who don’t “like” country but can handle country pop this album might not be the best choice for you. With this their third album, the Dixie Chicks are out to prove to country music listeners that they are capable of making a country album that sounds like a country album and that they can do that well. It’s quite obvious that with marriage, divorce, motherhood and all other adult things that they chicks are in a new place but in many ways it suits them. Indeed with “Home” they’ve silenced non-believers and proved that they’re in this for the long run.


Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Driving