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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
Taking The Long Way
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 18 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 126 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Sony
Release Date: 23 May 2006
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Country
Summary
Rick Rubin "executive" produced the controversial country outfit's first release in four years. John Mayer, Bonnie Raitt, and members of Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Heartbreakers guest.
Also By This Artist: Home
Also On Metacritic
FILM: Dixie Chicks: Shut Up And Sing
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Entertainment Weekly
Finally, they put their music where their opinionated mouths are.
Read Full Review >Rolling Stone
[It] embraces the depth and fury of classic rock while remaining true to the trio's Texas roots. [18 May 2006, p.226]
PopMatters
Apart from the political material, they’ve rustled up some of their most gorgeous melodies.
Read Full Review >NOW Magazine
There's still some banjo-pickin' and fiddle-playing, but The Long Way's clean, soft-rockin' vibe is striking in contrast to the traditional bluegrassy leanings of 2002's Home.
Read Full Review >All Music Guide
[The] lack of zest in the production is forgivable because Taking the Long Way is otherwise a strong, confident affair.
Read Full Review >Mojo
It's another good one. [Jul 2006, p.100]
Austin Chronicle
With The Long Way Around, the Chicks haven't turned a corner as much as locked horns with their recent past, their spirituality and spunk intact, heroines on the side of truth.
Read Full Review >Stylus Magazine
Those voices alone are enough to devastate, and they’re the reason this album deserves mention among the year’s best.
Read Full Review >Billboard
The first-time pairing with Rubin has resulted in a surprisingly cohesive mix of country and rock tunes.
Read Full Review >Amazon.com
On first listen, Taking the Long Way seems too somber--in need of a bit of levity and more than a couple of uptempo songs (like the sexy, '60s-flavored "I Like It") to resonate for the long haul. It also seems to lack the writing quality that Darrell Scott, Patty Griffin, and Bruce Robison brought to Home. But on repeated plays, those concerns dissipate.
Read Full Review >Blender
This album has some of what was missing from Home: fire, ugliness, resentment. [Jun 2006, p.135]
Uncut
The development in their songwriting is dramatic. [Jul 2006, p.90]
ShakingThrough.net
Taking the Long Way wraps its still-raw emotions in sweet satin sheets of breezy, middle-of-the-road pop. While there are still some country elements, the album mostly exists in that top-down netherworld of Sheryl Crow albums and Tom Petty's "Learning to Fly."
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club)
If anything, Taking The Long Way is overly blunt, as though the group felt it has an image to maintain. The anger feels calculated.
Read Full Review >The Guardian
Ironically, just as they have become a liberal cause célèbre, the Dixie Chicks sound more conservative than ever.
Read Full Review >Q Magazine
The bulk sounds little different from most of what passes for mainstream country these days. [Jul 2006, p.113]
Slant Magazine
It's not just Rubin's production choices that fail, though--it's the songwriting.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.1 (out of 10) based on 126 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Jack gave it a5:
Yet another politically charged album that appeals to the Air America crowd and is despised by the Sean Hannity crowd. If I want politics, I will listen to any of those talk radio programs. If I want music, give me music, not a temper tantrum from some partisan POV.
Patrick gave it a10:
Anybody who gives it a 0 or 1 obviously holds a huge bias. There are so many great songs on this album. 10 because it deserves it
francisco g gave it a10:
The best album of the year without a doubt.... flawless!!!
Aaron L gave it a10:
Another amazing album by one of the most incredible groups to date.... Taking The Long Way is sure to hold a place in my cd player for a long time to come... "Taking The Long Way", "Not Ready To Make Nice", "Silent House", and "I Hope" are certainly heart felt, personal works of art!! Enjoy!
QI M. gave it a9:
It is truely a great album ,so meaningful,chicks go down ur own way like this ,I will show my best support,PS,bush goes the hell
martin J gave it a0:
Never release an album again!
p g gave it a1:
glad someone in the south has made a political statement. now someone please make a real album. if you actually like this album, go buy neko case, it'll blow apart your head, it's so much better.
