A few things I’m really diggin’ these days.
*Taking the Long Way by the Dixie Chicks
Time was, I was a self-professed sexist when it came to my music. I couldn’t find an artist I liked and I felt as if I couldn’t relate to the lyrics. Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with Sheryl Crow, Norah Jones and the Dixie Chicks album Home. Tight vocals, great lyrics & a rootsy-bluegrass sound made for a phenomenal album.
The Chicks have been much-maligned for their anti-war / anti-Bush remarks in 2003. Country radio almost unilaterally boycotted their music; former fans gathered for album burnings. Ostracized by their fan base, nary a peep has been heard from the Chicks in nearly 3 years.
Until now. Natalie Maines & co. have come roaring back with a new album helmed by super-producer Rick Rubin (who contributed to Johnny Cash’s mid-90’s career resurrection). The album seems like therapy for the Chicks. The first single, “Not Ready To Make Nice”, rings with biting attitude aimed at those who would criticize the Chicks for their political views:
I made by bed, and I sleep like a baby,
With no regrets and I don’t mind saying,
It’s a sad sad story
That a mother will teach her daughter
that she ought to hate a perfect stranger.
And how in the world
Can the words that I said
Send somebody so over the edge
That they’d write me a letter
Saying that I better shut up and sing
Or my life will be over
Like I said, therapy. The album has an edgier sound, and there’s no way you’ll hear any of these songs on country radio, but Taking the Long Way is another great Chicks album. Their fan base may be changing, but this is one disc that’ll still get plenty of spins at our house. Check it out.
*Lee Camp’s Mere Discipleship
This text has been on my shelf for about a year or more. Several people I respect count Camp’s book as a seminal work on Christian discipleship. Although I have plenty of grad school reading to do this summer, I’ve postponed it all to absorb this one. So far, so good. I’m only 4 chapters in, but Camp’s book has already challenged me to reevaluate some long-held convictions. I’m sure I’ll be sorting out the repercussions of this one for quite a while, but I’d recommend Camp’s book to anyone who would take seriously their calling to live out their faith. A must-read.
*XM Music.
One of the blessings of XM Radio is the unlimited access to plenty of new bands I’ve never heard of. Rock music is alive and well in the U.K. and two of my new faves are Gomez and Elbow. Gomez tunes have been featured on Grey’s Anatomy and Entourage recently. Check out “See the World” from the How We Operate album at the iTunes Music Store. The Elbow album Leaders of the Free World is solid. Best cuts: the title track and “Station Approach”. Any good music you’re listening to?
already & not yet 
I have always loved the Dixie Chicks. I really appreciate you getting their latest CD for my birthday. I feel that they have been treated unfairly, just for expressing their true feelings. I totally support their music and hope to go to their concert in Nashville this October. I was very excited to see that they ended up selling over 500,000 albums in the first week of their release (without the help of radio). Abby Kate and Joshua really enjoy listening to their newest CD. While I was pregnant, they heard a lot of the Home CD (probably my favorite).
Love the Chicks. I’ve got a slew of other female artists you should check out. Glad you are ditching the musical misogyny.I can’t stop listening to Matt Nathanson’s album Beneath These Fireworks. One of the best albums I’ve heard since McDermott’s self-titled. It’s that good.
Wow. That’s pretty lofty company there, man. If it’s that good, I’ll check it out. Can I find him on iTunes?By the way, how are you enjoying the iPod?
Sunny,The Dixie ChicksNashvilleOctoberMe & YouIt’s a date.I’m reading your signals, woman.
Yes, these brats are a huge success. I say brats because they need to grow up. Stars really lack maturity whenever they can publically state what type of fans they “do and don’t need.” They need to appreciate all their fans – redneck or no. Since I’m not sure if I meet their standards, I won’t be going out of my way to listen or buy…. I need to be needed.
Jason, I love the Ipod. I’m not a big fan yet of Itunes. I think it is a joke that there is no subscription service. .99 cents a song is a crime. I listen to music all day at my desk. But not on Itunes.
By the way, Nathanson is on itunes. You must check him out.
I just wish singers and actors would stick to what they’re good at, which is singing and acting. I heard on talk radio the other day that the hometown of the Dixie Chicks refuses to play any of their music now. Oh, and Sunny, do you have a blog now?
Actually, I think we benefit greatly from people of all backgrounds sharing their viewpoints and opinions. We’ve elected actors, musicians, peanut farmers, doctors and lawyers in this country. They all have something to contribute to the debate. The choice of profession should not negate their freedom to weigh in.It’s a blogging culture–everybody has a voice. Although, I think the Chicks are in a defiant mode right now, their voices are as valuable as mine or anybody elses.
Personally, I kinda like the defiant voice. The Chicks simply voiced their opinion a few years back, which is a very American thing to do. It’s a shame that country music fans displayed such intolerance in their backlash against the Chicks. Come on…burning their CDs just because you disagree with their point of view? You may not agree with their politics, but it’s their right to voice their opinion however they choose. I guess as a counter-point, country fans have voiced their opinion by choosing not to buy their album or listen to their music. Why can’t we all just get along?
Jason said, “You may not agree with their politics, but it’s their right to voice their opinion however they choose.”I couldn’t have said it better!!!!I will always be a Dixie Chick Fan! They have a real talent for making music. The public may not agree with their messages, but they have every right to voice them.I mean come on…this was nearly 3 years ago. How about we just forgive, forget and GET OVER IT!!!!!! If only our society would get this fired up about the real injustices that are going on in our world. What would life be like…Lane, no I do not have a blog. I am having a hard enough time trying to get use to leaving comments on blog pages and sending emails!
The new Gomez album is very good. Big improvement on Split the Difference. Such a talented band.
I’m probably in a little over my head recommending an album to a bunch of music-savy Gen Xers, but all of you should go to Itunes immediately and download the soundtrack to the movie Elizabethtown.It was a very good movie, despite what the critics said, and a great soundtrack.
Sunny, I agree: there are greater injustices to get riled up about. That’s my girl.Korova, Gomez is great. Love the new album. XM Cafe plays it quite a bit.Mike, any Cameron Crowe film is going to have great music. I liked the movie, but the music from the film was awesome. Even #3 commented on it last week in Nashville. It must be good if it garners the approval of a 12-year old music fan!