Taking The Long Way

Co-written by the Dixie Chicks - Natalie Maines with sisters Emily Robinson & Martie Maguire - and produced by Rick Rubin, lyrically this album covers a whole range of topics but at its centre is a diary that focuses on that moment in 2003 (where the band commented on President Bush), and the reaction that followed. 'Taking The Long Way' features an impressive band including Red Hot Chilli Peppers drummer Chad Smith, bass player Larry Knetchel, (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers') Benmont Tench on keyboards and Mike Campbell on guitar, plus co-writers Dan Wilson, Pete Yorn and Gary Louris of The Jayhawks.

Inspired by artists including The Eagles and The Mamas and the Papas, 'Taking The Long Way' is their first release since 2002's 'Home' and adds a sweeping, southern California sound to the band's intimacy and heart-on-sleeve attitude. "Everything felt more personal this time," says Natalie Maines. "I go back to songs we've done in the past and there's just more maturity, depth, intelligence on these. They just feel more grown-up."

Album highlights include the first single "Not Ready To make Nice" which revisits the events of 2003, "Silent House" which examines the struggle of watching a relative suffer from illness, and the beautiful "It's So Hard When Things Don't Come Easy" which addresses infertility - an issue both band-members Emily Robinson and Martie Maguire have experienced.

Similarly, the gospel-inflected "I Hope", which was co-written with Keb' Mo and features a guitar solo by John Mayer, was premiered during a Hurricane Katrina benefit in 2004. "This album was total therapy," adds Natalie Maines. "I'm way more at peace now. Writing these songs and saying everything we had to say makes it possible to move on."