Dixie Chicks are huge stars in the USA. Their brand of soft country has seen them through to nine Grammys. Their last album sold six million copies. In the UK they were almost unknown until, after criticising the Bush junta in Washington DC, they found themselves banned from redneck radio stations across their homeland. Obviously these are Americans it's okay to love.
Not Ready To Make Nice is the first single from Natalie, Emily and Martie's upcoming new album Taking The Long Way. Despite Rick Rubin's slick production gloss it still feels like a very personal record, borne of their struggle to stand up for what they believe in whatever redneck DJs or redneck presidents think.
"It's too late to make it right, I probably wouldn't if I could, coz I'm mad as hell, can't bring myself to do what it is you think I should," sings the chorus. By the second verse mournful brass and dramatic strings have added themselves to the fabulous line: "I'd better shut up and sing or my life will be over." Somehow, we can but hope that the Dixie Chicks and others with their courage keep fighting the good fight.
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