GO BUY THIS ALBUM NOW! Dixie Chicks: "Taking The long Way"
After their traumatic falling out with the Country
Music community and the loss of a huge swath of their
Nashville audience over their remarks condemning
George W. Bush three years ago, they have finally
released their long awaited album "Taking The Long
Way" today.
It was recorded in LA -- a huge change for them from
the Nashville scene -- new musicians, producers,
arrangers. They are now crossing over into Rock --
This album is VERY well done, very different and
REALLY GOOD! They are building a new audience of more
sophisticated listeners on the coasts.
Their single "Not Ready To Make Nice" from this album
was released a few weeks ago in advance of the full
album and shot to #1 on Amazon & iTunes. Yet it was
listed at #48 on the Country Music radio station
rotations. They may not be playing it on the redneck
radio stations, but WE ARE BUYING IT!
As I said, the full album was released today -- it
shot to #1 on Amazon. Oh YES!!!!
GO BUY IT! Let's show the Bill O'Rielly & the redneck
crowd that they can boycott the Dixie Chicks all they
want but it will not work. We LOVE what they have to
say and what they are doing!
-- Modified on 5/23/2006 9:39:33 PM
Sorry...my birdcage is already lined...
I love your last paragraph. Instead of letting the work stand on its merits, you have to take a political swipe at those you disagree with. So pathetic and useless (however, not unexpected based upon your biased view of the world.)
Personally, I'm not a fan of country music. Didn't care about the Dixie Chicks before they spoke out, nor do I care now-not my preferred music.
The sad reality is that the moronic public, (all of us here included), allow ill-informed and unqualified "celebrities" to guide our thinking.
In the military they ahve the saying RHIP, but there's more to it than just having the priveleges-the responsibilities weigh in heavier the higher the rank. The correlation to celebs is quite easy to see (even for someone with blinders on)....the average Joe Schmuck has a limited sphere of influence. Ole' Joe can say "I think Bush is....." and other than Joes immediate circle, most people say, "Who the fuck cares about Joe" and his opinions are ignored. When a Barbara Streisand gets up and says "I think Bush is...." suddenly it must be 'important' because Bab's said so! Why don't people say the same thing-"Who the fuck is Barbara Streisand...."
I'll give more credence to a Stephanopoulus (even if I can't spell his name), he's been in there and has a better understanding of what goes on-whether I agree with him or not.
So, if you like the music, buy the Dixie Chicks album because you think the music is good, great, whatever. If you don't like the music, don't buy the frickin' album. Either way, it should be about the MUSIC, not the political views of the artist-after all, who the fuck are the Dixie Chicks anyways? Did they get degrees in PolySci recently?
I agree, that people who listen to celebs' political opinions are morons; and also that CDs are music, and should be bought (or not) as such.
However, I also think celebs have every right to voice their opinion. Normally, I would say, "thanks for sharing, please get on with the show" - but also note Paul Newman's comments some years ago at the Oscars that we should not forget the things that Americans get very right, certainly more right than anybody else.
As for the Dixie Chicks specifically, I would normally say, "thanks for sharing"; but I think that people who want to boycott them for their political views (as opposed to music) up the ante, and make it reasonable for others to take the opposite view. I won't buy the CD, because I regard it as music only.
But I don't think vendors should be boycotted for their views unless you're at war. And that is what the Right (religious and radical) wants to do, is create a "culture war", and then they want to cry when they get hurt. Such a bunch of rough tough creampuffs.
Celebrities all hire publicists to help maintain a positive image. Many celebrities suffer when they become less likable (Tom Cruise). If they want to make a political stance they shouldn't bitch at a backlash. They formerly had this fun "downhome" image. They are now associated with LA celebrities so this may affect their popularity. The thing that's a bit bewildering about this is that their music is apolitical fluff. Now they are known as some kind of political spokespeople.
For the record, I'm very conservative but love Pearl Jam and Green Day. I don't agree with them but I respect their talent and passion.
My point was to address the silly paragraph about buying the album to stick it to the conservative redneck BS.
If a celeb wants to spout off about a political opinion, they have as much right as the schmoe on the street. The celeb just needs to realize that they have a wider range of influence (which is what they want) and there may be fallout from a wider range of the populace. Conversely, the average Joe Schmuck needs to learn to take the celeb's word for what it typically is-an ignorant opinion from an asshole who 1. could care not one whit about the avergae Joe, and 2. generally knows less about the real world than the same average Joe. Celebs aren't any more intelligent than anyone else, just lucky. Their opinions mean bupkiss.
http://www.dixiechicks.msn.com/
So I guess you also think that Country Music Stations & O'Rielly are equally "typical" in calling for a boycott regardless of the quality of the music as well?
Look, if you don't like the Dixie Chicks and don't care that much about how people threatened their lives (yes, that's what happened) and how people tried to destroy their career over a something they said (NOT something they did), then don't buy it. This post is not for you.
Those who feel otherwise can listen to the entire album at the link above as many times as they want and decide for themselves -- or just go buy it because they want to counter balance the boycott. What is so wrong with that?
FYI -- as of this post the album is #1 on iTune AND Amazon. Despite the reviews from the Country Music establishment who is trying to destroy them, this album is probably one of thier best -- if not their best. It is more sophisticated -- musicians will like it a lot more than their old stuff. I gotta say, their talent is really showcased here -- it's not as sugary sweet as their other stuff.
-- Modified on 5/24/2006 9:29:40 PM
The Dixie Chicks ARE celebs. My point (I'll use simple words so you can understand) was that when you are a celeb, or otherwise highly visible to the public, you need to choose your words with care-and express your opinions with care. The ramifications (sorry, I realize that "ramifications" may be a complex concept for some to grasp) of a celeb's publicly expressed opinions are farther reaching than yours or mine.
There will be backlash. It doesn't excuse the narrow minded bigotry, but it does explain it. If someone is going to be a public figure, they have to be prepared to accept public criticism. Threatening anyone's life (with a few exceptions) is uncalled for, and typically just hot air anyways. They've got security up the wazoo.
But YOUR position was that the album should be supported not so much ofr it's artistic merit, instead to "fight the red state menace" of O'Reilly and the CW industry. But where's all that liberal compassion and free speech crap you guys like to spout off about?
Now that was a contortion of logic I've not heard in a while on this board -- so now I am not compassionate or in favor of "that free speech crap" as you put it because of my post huh?
I know you righties find free speech and compassion to be "crap", but I do not see how my post made me against either of those.
My position is to balance the boycott -- so freaking what? Maybe you missed that point. I never said people did not have the right to boycott. They can do whatever they want -- SO CAN I.
Dude, celebs don't "need" to do anything. Neither do you. You don't "need" to buy this album or even listen to it if you don't like them or give a shit.
They can say whatever they want and defend it whenever they want -- who appointed you the arbiter of what Celebs "need" to or "should" do?
-- Modified on 5/25/2006 9:27:45 PM
Contortion of logic? I think not.
You and most of the posters on this board have excessively liberal perspectives. You consistantly insult, deneigrate, and try to humiliate those who don't subscribe to your views. Somehow, you claim some moral superiority over others, in fact, in some ways, you beahve as Naziesque with your persecutions of conservatives as you accuse the radical right of being.
The reality is, you're no better than the right wingers you so much despise. You're pompous and full of yourself. You cannot accept the possibility that someone who opposes your political viewpoint might have an equally legitimate perspective. You'd rather toss out attempted sarcastic comments in attempst to belittle others.
many have tossed aorund the "hypocrisy" label on this board. In the end, every member of TEr is a hypocrite, and the old standard about pointing fingers rings jsut as true now as it has in the past.
I fully expect you to either ignore this post, or post some other condescending tripe in an attempt to beliitle me and others who believe like myself.
You have that right, and you'll probably receive a significant amount of "support" from some of the other leftist types who are like yourself. So be it. In the final analysis, I realize that neither my opnions nor your opinions mean shit. As far as you're concerned, I'm insignificant and ill-informed. From my persepctive, you're just another misguided asshole.
And anybody who reads this that is not familar with the Dixie Chicks music, and is so inclined to combat the right wing boycott of them because they spoke out against Bush, check out their new album...I've been listening to it for days - It is excellent -- I think it's their best yet!
Here's a link to listen to it for free:
http://www.dixiechicks.msn.com/
-- Modified on 5/26/2006 8:01:57 PM
"when you are a celeb, or otherwise highly visible to the public, you need to choose your words with care-and express your opinions with care."
...after all, millions of soldiers died for your right to freely express your opinions. So whatever you do, keep your mouth shut.
"But YOUR position was that the album should be supported not so much ofr it's artistic merit,"
The 'backlash' position is to reject the album regardless of it's artistic merit. If it's right to boycott the album as part of a backlash, it's just as right to buy the album for political reasons.
They were interviewed today on Howard Stern. Not only were they right (is that a pun) with their initial comments and stand about this stupid, failed, illegitimate war; but they were open and fun in their banter with Stern. I hope they sell a gazillion albums just to shove it up the ass of those who profess "patriotism" while castigating "Free speech".
-- Modified on 5/26/2006 1:08:39 AM
Fact is around here, it's the Bushhaters wrapping themselves in the flag and denoucing anyone else as chickenhawks.
free speech my ass....
See, i knew we'd agree on something!