Dixie Chicks: Love? Hate? Who Cares?

On May 23, the Dixie Chicks will release their fourth studio album: Taking the Long Way, produced by Rick Rubin (Red Hot Chili Peppers, AC/DC, Neil Diamond). First single Not Ready to Make Nice refers to the brouhaha surrounding Natalie Maines' Bush-baiting comments at a March 2003 London show. To repeat for the millionth time: “Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas.” I still look at that quote and marvel at the controversy it stirred up. Just her opinion, folks, and a relatively benign one at that. Good lord, we've turned into a bunch of thin-skinned wussies. Anyway, the new song's lyrics once again mess with all those Nashville yahoos who questioned the Chicks' patriotism. I’m not ready to make nice I’m not ready to back down I’m still mad as hell and I don’t have time to go round and round and round It’s too late to make it right I probably wouldn’t if I could 'Cause I’m mad as hell Can’t bring myself to do what it is you think I should. Somewhere, Toby Keith is writing a new rebuttal song. Part of me wishes the Chicks would move on, make another album as fun and genre-tweaking as 1999's Fly. On the other hand, it gives me a perverse thrill to see the Chicks face-off with conservative huckleberries nationwide. Keep stirring it up, girls, 'cause Cletus is about to stick his foot in his mouth again. But maybe you disagree with me.

So I ask you again: Do you dig the Chicks? Despise the chicks? Or couldn't care less about this entire topic?

Comments

[sparky]

Daly, You forgot Johnny Cash among the Rick Rubin contingent.As far as the Chicks go, I'm not one of their fans, but I find it amusing that one of freedoms is the freedom of speech and we are now what close to 4 years since the controversy and people are still talking banning their records. I guess that is one more right we have lost.

[ralphwiggumisgod]

I think the whole comment about Bush was blown out of proportion. Maybe because they are from Texas? I mean why would anyone care what a couple of talent-thin girls think anyway. I'm sure Bush could have cared less. I know the Dixie Chicks sales have not recovered from the incident--or is it because they're not really that good?! I think the Chicks were a novelty for a while--three girls who could make some music, but their act is wearing thin and people don't care as much anymore. Country fans seem to like gimmicks like a rappin' cowboy or bums like Big and Rich. I just hope the Chicks don't take a song and completely destroy it again like they did with "Landslide." I choo-choo-choose them to go away for good.

[ClayFan]

The Dixie Chicks suck - they should be banned from the airwaves not because of their political views, but because there music is horrible. They all need to lose about 40 pounds and enroll in voice school. Are their 15 minutes up yet? The Chicks are worse than the Bush Administration's handling of the Iraqi War.

[KC]

They had me at "we're ashamed..."I'm no country fan and I couldn't tell you the names of two songs these chicks sing--so I can't speak to their talent. But, I like their spunk and the controversy they stirred makes me root for them (not enough to buy their records...). I also hope they do not lose any weight! There are already too many barbie dolls out there in the celebrity coulture to make us feel inadequate, self conscious and ashamed of our physical selves.

[Budman]

Who cares about the no talent Dixie Chicks...You need to write a story about Shooter Jennings' new CD Electric Rodeo. Just sayin'

[bossfanswife]

No talent?! The Dixie Chicks rock and I don't even like country music...but I really like them. They're talented musicians and singers and great in concert. These three moms aren't afraid to express their opinions and I appreciate that. You go girls!

[sinecure714]

When are we going to grow up and remember that the first amendment of the constitution grants freedom of speech? Maybe the comments that Natalie Maines made were a bit of ill advised timing, but a few years later and they would not nearly be as provoking today, would they? All of the hollywood and recording celebrities that came out against this president in the beginning that were berated for their expressing their views aren't looking quite as racial today, are they? And, oh yeah, the Dixie Chicks rock! If you can listen to the album "Fly" and say they aren't great, you are not paying attention.

[sinecure714]

Not racial, radical! Opps!

[Sean Daly]

Yeah, it's funny how Kanye West rips George W. a lot harder, but he doesn't deal with half the guff Natalie Maines did. A small white woman is a lot safer to rail on apparently, then a smart black rapper.