The Dixie Chicks really were "taking the long way" with their long-awaited fourth album, which was released in May.

Fans had to wait four long years for the band's new CD, Taking the Long Way, to hit stores. Yet fans will be surprised to find the sound of the Dixie Chicks' new album to be quite different from their first three CDs.

Taking the Long Way is filled with songs boasting a soft, melancholy sound. The days of upbeat lyrics mixed with upbeat sounds from songs such as Ready to Run, There's Your Trouble, Wide Open Spaces, Cowboy Take Me Away and Goodbye Earl are long-gone.

Now the trio is putting more emotion into the lyrics, which is evident in the lyrics of their newest hit, Not Ready to Make Nice, which is written about the band's feelings toward the public and especially some of their former fans due to the backlash of their controversial remarks.

In March 2003, the members of the Dixie Chicks made their feelings toward President Bush's decision to invade Iraq crystal clear by saying, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas."

The band made apologies for the statement, but their resentment is still portrayed in this album.

Even with a new sound, Taking the Long Way is still a great CD with the Dixie Chicks' unique country sound.

The remaining Dixie Chicks fans will just have to adapt their listening tastes to the new sound if the CD is to be a success.