A great singer whose first solo album disappoints
The Dixie Chicks in 2003 |
that they got into trouble for an off-the-cuff statement by Maines that was considered unpatriotic by some. Other artists have questioned American foreign policy, but haven’t been vilified to the same degree.
After three multi-platinum albums and a fourth that swept the Grammy Awards, but couldn’t recapture the heart of the south, the Chicks went on hiatus. Though they’ve toured, they haven’t released any new music as a group. However, Natalie Maines released Mother in May. I’ve been meaning to write about it, but work got in the way. That’s an excuse because, to be honest, I don’t like the album very much. Maines’s voice is still wonderful, but there are echoes of The Dixie Chicks songs and that’s a problem.
Even on some of their sad story songs like “Travelin’ Soldier,” there was still a sense of joy or, at least, hope. Mother is a mid-tempo, art rock album that could have been released any time between around 1975 to 1988 by Pink Floyd or Yes or some other Prog-Rock group that was a little past its prime. Thankfully, there aren’t achingly long guitar solos, but there is lugubriousness about the production that reminds the listener that this is serious. There’s little variety in the subject matter, all of which somehow relates to motherhood, though none of the cuts demonstrate the pride, rage, and vitality of The Pretenders’ “I’ll Stand By You,” or “I’m A Mother.”
Natalie's New Look |
Playing "Mom" on vacation |
Don't be sad Natalie. Things will get better!
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