...but I was too weak to fight.

She skipped to track 3 (smart girl) and I was hooked almost immediately. I immediately took to their very well polished acoustics and couldn't resist an attraction to the deliciously comforting vocals of Natalie (the lead singer of this 3 sister band who I thought sounded kind of like Jewel to me). Each song blended into the other, warping time, soothing my hangover, and disarming my predjudice. I liked them right away, which is no small feat for any act.

This album is my favorite, although not by much ("Home" and "Wide Open Spaces" are also excellent in their own right). The best tracks on "Fly" in my opinion are:

"Ready To Run"...this track is upbeat and fun, it puts me in a good mood right away (fun to play when you're driving on the way to a party or something).

"Cowboy Take Me Away"...i don't think any song has ever made me want to trade away the keys to my car for a horse quite like this one does. very romantic.

"Cold Day In July"...didn't get any press, but a fantasic ballad. very slow, acoustic (might just be guitar and vocal) and sad but beautiful song about losing love.

"Hello Mr. Heartache"...humorous spin on the typical "country heartbreak song".

"Don't Waste Your Heart"...another excellent track that didn't get allot of press.

"Let Him Fly"...my favorite song on this CD, and one of my favorite love songs of all time; a slow, longing song about love, loss, pain, and acceptance.

I couldn't recommend this CD any higher. Notwithstanding their political activism (which some love and others loath), these girls are musical geniuses in my opinion and if you're just familiar with what's leaked onto the airwaves and don't have this CD, get it, you won't be dissapointed.

Hope this helped.


Great music - Enough said!   February 19, 2000
34 out of 39 found this review helpful

Fly is a great album. The lyrics are quite good and the musicianship is excellent. What always catches my fancy with these girls is Natalie Maines' vocals. That girl has a great set of pipes. Just listen to Hole in my Head. She goes all out on that hilarious song. The chicks best work are on the uptempo country songs like Ready to Run, Sin Wagon, and Some Days You Gotta Dance (my personal favorite). However, the ballads are also excellent. Cowboy Take Me Away is a beautiful, sweet, romantic song. Without You is a sad ballad that is becoming my favorite on the CD. It's Let Him Fly however where the Chicks prove their greatest abilities. Hearing that song was the reason I bought this album. I was not disappointed. I am not a huge fan of country music. I love Shania Twain, Jo Dee Messina, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, and Alison Krauss (the best voice of the bunch). But it's not really about liking a specific genre of music. It's about music itself. This music is great. I recommend this album to anyone who likes great vocals and musicianship rolled into one. You truly do not have to be a diehard country fan to love the Chicks of Dixie. Though I would love to see Alison Krauss win the grammy award this year for best country album, the chicks should and probably will win. They put together a nice mix of uptempo songs and ballads. I look forward to more from these girls. They can only improve and that's scary because you can't get much better than Fly.


..Can't Take Back Every Little Chill You Give Me!   December 6, 1999
Michael Curtis (Nashville, TN USA)
26 out of 29 found this review helpful

That's a line from the 2nd FLY tune "If I Fall, You're Going Down With Me", & it pretty much sums up what this CD does for me. From the Celtic fiddle/tin whistle intro in the opening track "Ready To Run" to singer Natalie Maines' last note on the last tune "Let Him Fly", this CD absolutely blows me away everytime I put it on. If you liked Wide Open Spaces, You Love FLY. Fiddler Martie Seidel & Banjo/Dobro whiz Emily Robison absolutely shine on this CD whereas singer Natalie kinda took over on most of the tracks on Wide Open Spaces. FLY musically, vocally & lyrically blows away Wide Open Spaces. My favorite track is Sin Wagon. One reason is that it's an awesome blend of Bluegrass with a passion & attitude that Rock-n-Roll since the good ol' (pre-Cobain) days. Not only do they pay tribute to their Bluegrass roots on the FLY CD, but the Chicks also do traditional country, pop/rock, blues, folk.. You name it, it's here! Well, I could go on forever about this CD, but you have to hear it for yourself to understand how awesome this CD is. Go Out & Buy It NOW! :-)


Great Even For Non-Country Lovers!   June 19, 2005
Katie (PA , USA)
23 out of 26 found this review helpful

I generally do not listen to much country music, but for some reason this CD really hit a chord with me, and I absolutely love it!

Every song on "Fly" makes you want to sing along & tap your feet - and each has a great story to tell as well. I think that's what I really like about this particular CD.

I would highly recommend "Fly" to anyone who enjoys country &/or "folk rock" type music. If you want to listen to some music that will put a smile on your face, then this CD is definately for you!


Great Album!   February 16, 2000
Jo the Pirate
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

I admit I bought this CD on a whim in a music store after reading a flattering review and I am so glad I did! Ready To Run is a cheerful little tune- an instant pick-me-up. If I Fall You're Going Down With Me is a great upbeat love song that really sticks in your head. The CD is probably best known for Cowboy Take Me Away, a sweetly romantic song that though it can't decide whether it's county or pop come out all the better for it. Cold Day In July is one of the more surprising tracks. It ends up being alot more memorable than one might originally give it credit for, a bittersweet break-up song. Despite all the controversy, Goodbye Earl is one of my favorites. It's smart lyrics are the tale of an outstanding friendship through thick and thin, rather than the tale of the premeditated murder of an abusive husband, though that's in there too. Hello Mr. Heartbreak is a song everyone can relate to with a real county twang. Sin Wagon is a snappy , upbeat number- one of my favorites. Some Days You Gotta Dance makes you feel like doing just that- one of the songs you can really dance too. Hole In My Head is the obligatory male-bashing song found on all "girl-band" albums. Let Him Fly is my least favorite song of the album, though with a good message and some nice harmonies. Altogether though the best part of this CD is Martie Seidel and Emily Robison giving wonderful performances on the fiddle and banjo among other instruments.