Wide Open Spaces unveiled the new incarnation of the Dixie Chicks, revealing an eclectic, assured group that was simultaneously rootsy and utterly modern, but if that 1998 de facto debut captured the band just leaving the ground, Fly -- perhaps appropriately, given the title -- finds the group in full flight, in full possession of their talents. This time around, the different sounds they draw upon are more fully integrated, which only makes them more distinctive as a group. Even if the whole of the album feels more of a piece, they still take the time to deliver a slice of pure honky tonk on "Hello Mr. Heartache" and a piece of breakneck bluegrass on the rip-roaring, wickedly clever "Sin Wagon," which is also one of the group originals here, a collaboration between Natalie Maines and Emily Robison and outside writer Stephony Smith. It -- along with the Maines-cowritten "Without You," the Maines/Robison "Don't Waste Your Heart" and Martie Seidel's co-written "Ready to Run" and "Cowboy Take Me Away" -- showcase the trio's increasing craft as writers, which is one of the reasons this album sounds unified. But even the outside-written material feels like the group, whether it's the twangy boogie "Some Days You Gotta Dance," Patty Griffin's "Let Him Fly," the melancholy "Cold Day in July" and, especially "Goodbye Earl" where a wife gets revenge on her abusive husband. Like before, the group moves gracefully between these different styles, with Maines providing a powerful, compelling focus with Robison and Seidel offering sensitive support, and this blend makes Fly a rich, nuanced album that just gets better with repeated listens. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
Matt Rollings (Organ), Matt Rollings (Keyboards), Matt Rollings (Organ (Hammond)), Mike Henderson (Guitar (Electric)), Michael Silva (Hair Stylist), Dennis Linde (Guitar (Acoustic)), Dennis Linde (Performer), Dixie Chicks (Main Performer), David Angell (Violin), Pat Buchanan (Guitar (Electric)), Dennis Burnside (Arranger), Dennis Burnside (Conductor), Dennis Burnside (String Arrangements), John Catchings (Cello), Blake Chancey (Handclapping), Blake Chancey (Producer), Blake Chancey (Harmony Vocals), Steve Conn (Accordion), David Davidson (Violin), Chris Dunn (Music Preparation), Connie Ellisor (Violin), Carl Gorodetzky (Violin), Carlos Grier (Digital Editing), Jim Grosjean (Viola), John Guess (Mixing), Marcus Hummon (Guitar (Acoustic)), Lee Larrison (Violin), Lloyd Maines (Guitar (Steel)), George Marinelli (Guitar (Electric)), George Marinelli (Performer), Bob Mason (Cello), Terry McMillan (Percussion), John Mock (Concertina), John Mock (Bodhran), John Mock (Tin Whistle), Greg Morrow (Drums), Steve Nathan (Organ), Steve Nathan (Keyboards), Steve Nathan (Organ (Hammond)), Denny Purcell (Mastering), Michael Rhodes (Bass), Michael Rhodes (Guitar (Bass)), Tom Roady (Percussion), Charlie Robison (Vocals), Charlie Robison (Handclapping), Charlie Robison (Harmony Vocals), Chris Rowe (Engineer), Randy Scruggs (Guitar (Acoustic)), Pamela Sixfin (Violin), Alan Umstead (Violin), Catherine Umstead (Violin), Gary VanOsdale (Viola), Mary Kathryn Vanosdale (Violin), Billy Joe Walker, Jr. (Guitar (Acoustic)), Kris Wilkinson (Viola), Paul Worley (Guitar (Acoustic)), Paul Worley (Vocals), Paul Worley (Producer), Paul Worley (Harmony Vocals), Paul Worley (Harmony), Adam Steinberg (Guitar (Acoustic)), Adam Steinberg (Performer), Cliff Audretch (A&R), Chuck Ainlay (Mixing), Bill Johnson (Art Direction), Clarke Schleicher (Engineer), Moshe Brakha (Photography), Albert Sanchez (Photography), Melanie Shelley (Hair Stylist), Gina R. Binkley (Design), Billy Joe Walker (Guitar (Acoustic)), Billy Joe Walker (Performer), Patrick Murphy (Mixing), Patrick Murphy (Assistant), Jonathan Russell (Assistant), Jonathan Russell (Assistant Mastering Engineer), Tracy Baskette-Fleaner (Art Direction), Keith Urban (Guitar (Electric)), Keith Urban (Performer), Monisa Angell (Viola), Karen Winkelmann (Violin), Bryan Sutton (Guitar (Acoustic)), Bryan Sutton (Performer), Tony Castle (Engineer), Tony Castle (Digital Editing), Tony Castle (Editing), Tony Castle (Assistant Engineer), Stacey Martin (Make-Up), Martie Seidel (Fiddle), Martie Seidel (Violin), Martie Seidel (Viola), Martie Seidel (Vocals), Martie Seidel (Harmony Vocals), Cate Myer (Violin), Natalie Maines (Vocals), Natalie Maines (Handclapping), Natalie Maines (Harmony Vocals), Janet Askey (Violin), Deb Boyle (Production Coordination), Renee Fowler (Stylist), Eric Conn (Digital Editing), Jennifer Davis (Hair Stylist), Alex Dizon (Hair Stylist), Daniel Erdman (Hair Stylist), Debra Ferullo (Make-Up), Marcus Hammon (Guitar (Acoustic)), Marcus Hammon (Performer), Dari Marder (Photo Consultant), Mark Martin (Engineer), Emily Robison (Guitar (Acoustic)), Emily Robison (Banjo), Emily Robison (Dobro), Emily Robison (Vocals), Emily Robison (Handclapping), Emily Robison (Harmony Vocals), Emily Robison (Lap Steel Guitar), Ed Rode (Photography), Maital Sabbon (Make-Up), Kjell B. Sandved (?), Billy Sherrill (Engineer), Bill Johnson (Art Direction)
