Search - Dixie Chicks :: Wide Open Spaces

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 5/6/2023...

A real shame with beautiful voices and music combined with political stupidity.

1 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Donna T. from APO, AE
Reviewed on 1/31/2011...

Wide Open Spaces - a thoughtful song, and album, for thinking of ourselves when younger, for now, for thinking of our daughters. A great album to sing out loud to. Great for car trips. Haven't they been banned long enough? Get over it, whoever is keeping them off the air.

Aileen R. (aileen) from N HOLLYWOOD, CA
Reviewed on 6/15/2008...

The major-label debut from this Texas trio proves their instrumental abilities, blending more traditional twang with slow melodic blues, foot-tapping rockabilly, and bluegrass-inspired pop harmonies. From the opener, "I Can Love You Better," the Chicks let their love of music and genuine joy shine through while the energy on this album reminds one of Carlene Carter. Solid musicianship, topnotch vocal performances, and infectious pop hooks make this a stellar project.

--Paula Ghergia (Amazon.com)

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Kathleen L. (katlupe) from OXFORD, NY
Reviewed on 5/3/2007...

One of their best!

Terrific Major-Label Debut

Westley | Stuck in my head | 10/28/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Dixie Chicks had been kicking around the country music scene for years with a variety of personnel before they added Natalie Maines as lead singer and released "Wide Open Spaces" - their major label debut. The CD, of course, was a huge smash and established them as one of the biggest country groups ever. In fact, with over 12 million copies sold, "Wide Open Spaces" is the best-selling CD ever by a country group (#2 is their "Fly" CD). After they released this CD, the group also won the Country Music Association (CMA) Award for Vocal Group of the Year in 1999.



Five songs on the CD were major hits, starting with the "I Can Love You Better" (#7 in 1998), a playful up-tempo song. The group then scored three #1's in a row: "There's Your Trouble" (2 weeks in 1998), "Wide Open Spaces" (4 weeks in 1998), and "You Were Mine" (2 weeks in 1999). "Wide Open Spaces" has really become their signature song; it's a great sing-a-long about a girl's need to find her own place in the world. In addition, it won the CMA Award for Song of the Year. They finished with "Tonight the Heartaches on Me" (#6 in 1999), which is a very fun swing tune. Of note, "Let 'Er Rip" also scored some airplay and peaked at #64, although it wasn't released as an official single.



In addition to these hits, the CD is filled with terrific songs. "Loving Arms" has been a hit before for several artists, including Elvis Presley; the Chicks add some nice sweetness to it. Perhaps the prettiest ballad on the CD is the top-notch "Once You've Loved Somebody." I'm also impressed with "Give It Up or Let Me Go": a cover of a Bonnie Raiit song that the Chicks have made into a serious barn-burner.



I hadn't heard of the Dixie Chicks until this CD was released, so I don't have the bias against them that a few others seem to have; that is, thinking that the group "sold out." Although this CD is clearly more mainstream than their older work (which I've heard on TV shows), their music is still more country-oriented than that of many contemporary hit groups. I really admire their music, and this CD is a great listen.

"

It's hard to stay sad listening to these gals!

Westley | 08/11/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I absolutely hated country my whole life, with exception of Garth Brooks and Shania Twain. I mostly always listened to pop or alternative rock music...until I started noticing a change in my attitude and moods while I listened to that music. The lyrics of some of those alternative songs are so depressing and lifeless, I finally realized, I have my own problems, why do I need to listen to these jokers snivel? So a good friend of mine who always listened to country got me into country and for the last seven months, I haven't listened to anything else. But I have to admit, when I first heard the Dixie Chicks, I thought, "These are the girls I've been hearing so much about?" And then I noticed what a strange but unique voice the lead singer has. It actually grows on a person. But I heard Wide open spaces and there's your trouble and loved them. And when you were mine came out, that just caused me to go buy the cd, and I have yet to get sick of it. I've read all these reviews on here and someone said that their songs lack instrumental depth. I'd have to beg to differ. Listen to the last track. These girls kick butt to put it mildly. And I've also read people saying that the Dixie Chicks are more pop than country. NO WAY! I heard Wide Open Spaces on a pop station the other day without the fiddle in it, and with a pop beat and I have to say, it sounded ridiculous, because one hearing it can obviously tell it's a country song. There's no way to disguise that. Anyway, Dixie Chicks are great. I love their new song, Ready to Run. My boyfriend turns it up for me every time it comes on. Can't wait for "Fly"!"