Current KKKountry music is more single-minded, A&R driven, and market tested than the majority of the pop and hip-hop out there.  As an Illinoisan transplanted to Atlanta, I'm surrounded by "right-thinking Americans" whose concept of country is whatever the local stations play, and includes nothing that evolved from Sun Studios or Hank Williams the Elder (or even the Junior, for that matter).

Everything's been Reba-fied, Shania-fied, Wynona-funked, and Toby-ized so that it all sounds the same and none of it really stands for much.  As has already been stated here, a bunch of chest thumping from the boys and ass-jiggling from the girls (although I hope to avoid that as much as possible when it comes to Wynona and Reba).  They've even got their own version of American Idol hosted by Wynona and some African-American guy named "Cowboy Troy" of all things.  It's even worse than it looks on paper.

I've always thought that the Dixie Chicks were too smart and too talented to really be classed as Country artists.  More of a Bluegrass/Americana/Mellencampy/Neil Youngy/Wilco-ish/Old '97s kind of hybrid.  The fact that Natalie blasted Dubbbya, then recanted, then blasted again says to me that handlers, agents, and PR flaks got into her head for a time after the intial incident and she finally shook them off.  I can only imagine the pressure and anxiety they were under what with the death threats and all.

Having said that, I've heard the album, I'll probably see them in concert, and continue to support their right to say what they want.  Just as I support Toby Keith's right to say what he wants, I just happen to think he's a neandrethalish idiot who hasn't put together an original thought in a decade or two.  Now if he would decide to open a show with "Got No Shotgun Hydrahead Blues" I might change my mind....

Peace,

PJ