THIS is the first solo album from Natalie Maines, former lead singer of the award-winning Dixie Chicks, who was determined to create something different from her previous band.

Gone are the creative country sounds, that the trio honed to perfection, and in comes a rockyedged style, tantamount sometimes to bordering on “heavy”. As a member of the best-selling female group of all time, selling over 30 million albums and winning 13 Grammy awards, the ten songs here reveal another side to this acclaimed voice. However, this album may not reach many of her current fans. The title is taken from Pink Floyd’s The Wall album and her cover version has already been heard on the film soundtrack linked to the West Memphis Three campaign.

“I want to put all my efforts towards this album. I feel completely dedicated to it, and I want to give it everything I can,” she says.

Maines certainly does that, but I prefer “that voice” with the sound of The Dixie Chicks. As we ponder that, I am assured that this does not mean the end of the Dixie Chicks as Canadian dates are already booked for the summer.

nataliemainesmusic.com