The very talented, and controversial Dixie Chicks trio has finally released their follow up CD to the largely popular 2002 release, Home.

Their latest release entitled Taking The Long Way comes after a somewhat turbulent couple of years for the chicks following the fury that descended upon the group when lead singer Natalie Maines stated she was ashamed that President Bush was from her native Texas.

Those Anti-Bush comments initially spoken off the cuff in concert but then repeated in numerous interviews, earned her, and indeed the entire trio, plenty of enemies within the music community. Most notably from country music star Toby Keith.

That whole episode aside they're back with Taking The Long Way and sounding as bitter and defiant as ever. Atleast five of the songs on the CD are clearly angry, edgy tracks. No doubt related to and fueled by the above mentioned episode.

For this reviewer music is about emotion. Constantly reminding myself if I can't 'Feel' my music it's just noise. The one thing I must say about this CD is that it is certainly not just noise. It is very heavily charged with emotion. Just the way I like my music.

Maines, in a highly emotion state throughout the CD, reasserts herself as one of the great vocalists of her time, bringing it all home with committed, deeply emotional leads. At times seeming to flaunt her ease with styles ranging from country-rock to contemporary rock balladry to southern soul. Simply brilliant work.

With songs like the defiant Not Ready to Make Nice and Lubbock or Live It, the Dixie Chicks don't sound at all like they're in retreat.

The CD launches with a great track, The Long Way Around, that will definitely be heard on radio stations everywhere, and deservedly so. From there the trio proceeds to display why they are currently one of the best performing groups on the planet.

The collection features a long list of notable contributors, most notably is Sheryl Crow as a co-writer.

Overall Taking The Long Way is another outstanding release from the Dixie Chicks. Offering more sober, grown up, even urbanized sounds. What I call, must have music. I give it two thumbs up. A CD even the casual music fan can appreciate and enjoy.

The standout tunes on Taking The Long Way are Easy Silence [track 2], Not Ready To Make Nice [track 3], and Lubbock Or Leave It [track 7]. My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1, The Long Way Around. Very nice!

Release Notes:

Dixie Chicks originally released Taking The Long Way on May 23, 2006 on the Sony record label.

CD track list follows:

1. The Long Way Around
2. Easy Silence
3. Not Ready To Make Nice
4. Everybody Knows
5. Bitter End
6. Lullaby
7. Lubbock Or Leave It
8. Silent House
9. Favorite Year
10. Voice Inside My Head
11. I Like It
12. Baby Hold On
13. So Hard
14. I Hope

To listen to samples of each song on Taking The Long Way by Dixie Chicks go to: Dixie Chicks CD - Taking The Long Way Samples