The Dixie Chicks

[tinyshoes]

I don't mind their politics, since I'm anti-Bush myself, but if they really had balls at the time, they would have made their comments on American soil.

I certainly hope I'm not the only one who hates Natalie Maines's voice. She sounds like a very nasal goat to me.

[speciousreasoning]

I couldn't give two shits about what The Dixie Chicks say about politics or President Bush or whatever. They have freedom of speech just like everyone else so they can say whatever the crap they want, just like I can.
But the simple fact of the matter is their music just isn't that good. It's cute, pop-y country music, but it just doesn't have the staying power. It's disposable. I don't mind Natalie's singing voice most of the time. It's interesting and unique. But when I'm not in the mood, I'd rather listen to fingernails on a chalkboard or Saddam Hussein's insane ramblings.
I do however think that they need to get the hell over the "contreversy" of a few years ago. It was blown way out of proportion by both sides of the debate and they need to stop revelling in it already.
Will I buy their upcoming album? No. Because frankly, I've lost interest in their music. I'm a true Gen X in my short short pop culture attention span.

[tinyshoes]

I've lately come up with the theory that the Bush statement was a publicity stunt to give them street cred and to make them sound "edgy" since their music's so bland in the first place. Why not make edgy music? Because they can't.

I'll now prepare to get flamed.

[ladymadonna]

I love "Goodbye Earl", I love the fact that they play their own instruments, I love the fact that they write their own music, I LOVE their politics, and I think Natalie can belt it out with the best of them.

So, I love the Dixie Chicks, but I'm just not motivated to run out and buy their CD's. I'm not really sure why I'm so apathetic, because really, given my job and my politics, I should be a staunch supporter. But I'm fairly meh on them, and I wonder if the rest of America feels the same way.*

It's like, if I have an extra $20 and I happen to see a DC disc, I'd buy it. But I wouldn't search it out.


*disclaimer: I am a rock grrl. So I may be apathetic simply because I really don't like most country music.

[Deleted]

Natalie (giggling): "I saaaaaiidd...what did I say? ::giggles::" Then she went on, "I guess it was the wrong thing to saaaay, at the time, or whatever, I didn't meeeaaan it....." I'm like, WTF? I honestly haven't seen such a dumber, more inarticulate "celebrity" since Britney Spears. Since then, it's obvious to me that she got some spin handlers to come in and do some damage control, and they revamped her to play the martyr.

This is one of the reasons that I consider this new song to be milking the controversy. Natalie Mains isn't Susan Sarandon -- she doesn't have any record of any political opinions. She said something to get a cheer from the crowd and has wavered between standing by it proudly and playing the martyr ever since.

[jennipoo]

Emily and Marty have very strong ties to alt-country music (Emily married into one of the most talented families on the Austin scene) and are unlikely to abandon their style of music.

They are all very talented women, but I have to say that Natalie puts a bad taste in my mouth. Even before the comments, I was got the "bitch be trying to start something" vibe off of her. She just seems really confrontational about everything in general and that turns me off in anyone.

[Deleted]

I like their music even though I hate most country music with the exception of the Man Johnny Cash. I do however, like others have said, have a problem with their comments being made on foreign soil. That was not cool IMO.

I do like their new single. Not sure if I will buy their album, but I do like the song.

[Sunnyhorse]

Why does it matter where Maines said what she said? When we were in Europe, in June 2002, we were rather reluctant to let people know that we were Americans because people thought all Americans were morons -- and a friend of mine who's been in Germany for the last few months tells me that she tells people she's Canadian now because of the attitude she's gotten when she's let it be known that she's American. I'm sorry, but it's important to me that people in other countries know that not all of us agree with what's being done in our name. Why was it wrong for the Dixie Chicks to let people there know how they felt? The "we can't dissent outside our borders" attitude sounds like the family members of an alcoholic or wife-beater putting on happy faces and refusing to air their dirty laundry in front of anyone else.

I'll show myself out. The mods shut down the politics thread for a reason.

[pinkdog]

I love the Chicks. I'll buy the new album!

It's funny how people are all different. I think Natalie has one of the most incredible voices ever, and I was so glad when they got rid of that country-fried original singer and quit wearing fringe.

Their "politics" don't bother me. Every richie-rich in the public eye thinks they're a guru about something. I prefer "We wish Bush wasn't from Texas" to "We'll put a boot in your ass; it's the American Way." To me, one is decidedly and entirely more repugnant than the other.

[alcyone]

Why was it wrong for the Dixie Chicks to let people there know how they felt? The "we can't dissent outside our borders" attitude sounds like the family members of an alcoholic or wife-beater putting on happy faces and refusing to air their dirty laundry in front of anyone else.

Well, I think in this case (for me, at least) it was mostly the character of the sentiments they expressed, not the fact that they expressed them. You're right that there's nothing wrong with voicing dissent, even when abroad, but they didn't really express any dissent, or make any thoughtful political statements at all. They didn't say, "Just so you know, we're against the war in Iraq," or "We think the Patriot Act violates civil liberties" or whatever-- they went the lowbrow "Bush SUXXX!1!" route and said they were ashamed of the President of the United States. To refer to the office (not even the person) like that on foreign soil seems super-disrespectful to me. And in light of that interview poorfrances quoted, it does seem as though she did it to seem chicly anti-American, rather than to voice any reasoned political opposition.

Kind of a dead horse at this point, though, so that's it from me, as well. Aww, I wish there were still a Politics thread!