Natalie Maines to Release Solo Album

In the process of consuming massive amounts of SXSW coverage the past week, I stumbled on one final news bit of interest this morning. Natalie Maines, formerly the lead singer of the Dixie Chicks, is releasing a solo album called Mother on May 7 with help from Ben Harper.

Off the bat, I'm excited. I always thought the way the Dixie Chicks' career flamed out after Maines' comments about Bush and the Iraq war was a shame. So many other artists survive sex scandals, drug scandals, etc., it seems absurd to think about a flap like that lasting more than 48 hours.

And yet, there's a sense that it's still not over. The Washington Times did a story on Maines at SXSW and the picture painted is one of a singer who is still in recoil, muted by the severe blowback from a decade ago. The writer even mentions that Maines was the one to bring it up in their interview. That's a bummer because I wish she could shake it off. Natalie Maines as damaged was never the image she conjured. She was fiery and her voice could bowl you over with its sheer power.

Anyway, back to the album. You can check out the electronic press kit above. It seems like working with Ben Harper's been a good thing. After hearing a few tracks, I'm excited about Maines making more rock-bent Americana. The Washington Times article aslo said that Mother will feature multiple covers including Eddie Vedder's "Without You," Pink Floyd's "Mother," and Jeff Buckley's "Lover, You Should Have Come Over."