Freedom Rock

Washington Post music critic J. Freedom du Lac is online every Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET to talk about the latest on the music scene: hip-hop, pop, alternative, country, alt-country, rock, reggae, reggaeton, R&B and whatever it is that Ashlee Simpson does.

The transcript follows.

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J. Freedom du Lac: Greetings, friends, family (and others). Was watching "Anchorman" on cable over the weekend and just about fell off the sofa when they got to that singing scene in Ron Burgundy's office. You know, the one in which the news team does an a capella version of everybody's favorite Starland Vocal Band song, "Afternoon Delight." Very good times.

Though not as good as the Neil Young parody that was buried near the very end of the otherwise lame "SNL" season-ender. It was a Kevin Spacey parody promoting a subtle new Neil album, "I Do Not Agree With Many Of This Administration's Policies." Songs incl "President George W. Liar" and "If You Love Oil So Much, Why Don't You Marry It":

"I heard that George Bush, he married Exxon/They had half-human, half-oil babies/They named them Chevron and Halliburon/These oil babies, they look really strange."

Check it out here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO076LcG8RM&search=neil%20you

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Silver Spring, Md.: I've been watching American Idol this season and am surprised at how bland the music is. The songs they performed last night (made for Idol songs) were terrible. Why?

J. Freedom du Lac: No kidding. And to think that they chose those tracks from a field of, like 150 contenders! Just awful.

Lisa de Moraes had it right on when she filed the two new singles under "treacle."

They should've commissioned Dan Wilson to write some tunes. He and the rest of the Rick Rubin-assembled crew (Neil Finn, Gary Louris, Linda Perry, etc) did great work on the new Dixie Chicks album.

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IT'S 2:03pm!: Where you at??

J. Freedom du Lac: Missing deadline, as usual.

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washingtonpost.com: Neil Young SNL parody

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Not good enough for the Dixie Chicks, Virginia: In order to review the Dixie Chicks, did you have to take a pledge never to review the Reba McEntire and Toby Keith records?

J. Freedom du Lac: No, but I did have to submit documentation proving that I don't have relatives in Lubbock.

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Motor City Escapee since 97: So is the the Raconteurs fairing any better for you? I was really looking forward to this record and it's a bit of a let down... White and Benson have been two of my fave songwriters for many years and was hoping for more than what comes off as unfinished demos or leftovers from them. Looking forward to hearing it live... Gnarles Barkley on the other hand is a great listen.

J. Freedom du Lac: If the year ended today, the Raconteurs album would be my pick for the dud of 2006. It's not nearly as good as it should be. Not even close.

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washingtonpost.com: Dixie Chicks Leave Their Old Country

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Upper Marlboro, Md.: Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" is, well... crazy good. That's understood by most at this point. What ye say about the rest of "St. Elsewhere?"

"Storm Coming," "Just a Thought," and "Smiley Faces" (in that order) are pretty solid too, but the rest are not quite as good, though hilarious ("Transformer" and "Feng Shui"). And the very unoriginal Violent Femmes cover doesn't belong in a mostly, very original album.

J. Freedom du Lac: "Crazy" is definitely the album's highwater mark. The rest of "St. Elsewhere" is sort of uneven. It has its moments, for sure - "Storm Coming," which you mentioned, is definitely the best of the rest. Good stuff.

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Charlotte, N.C.: I've always liked the Dixie Chicks and have their previous CDs, and it's interesting how their nemesis Toby Keith couldn't crack into Nashville until he sang 'American Boot', then became who he REALLY was. He's welcomed in, dirt'n all. Remember what Groucho said, Chicks: "I'd never join a club that would have me as a member!" Does the TIME cover remind anyone else of the '02 Persons of the Year Cover: The 3 Women Whistleblowers?

J. Freedom du Lac: That's pretty much what the Chicks are saying now, too. I'm sure you've heard about or read what Martie said recently: "I'd rather have a small following of really cool people who get it, who will grow with us as we grow and are fans for life, than people that have us in their five-disc changer with Reba McEntire and Toby Keith. We don't want those kinds of fans. They limit what you can do."

Ooof!

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Springfield, Va.: Uncle Tupelo, Wilco, Son Volt, Old 97's are some of my favorite Alt-Country bands. Who would you add to the list?

J. Freedom du Lac: Here are a half-dozen: Steve Earle, Jayhawks, Neko Case, Bottle Rockets, Joe Henry, Giant Sand.

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Washington, D.C.: Has the rise to prominence of the mighty Pitchfork engendered a certain wariness among other music critics of albums or artists that Pitchfork endorses? I sense some sort of loathing of Pitchfork by, well, everybody. Is it there? Am I wrong?

J. Freedom du Lac: Can't speak for my critical bretheren, but as it concerns yours truly: No. I love some of the music the Pitchfork editors and writers love, and I dislike some of it, too. (And vice versa, by the way. Not that Pitchfork's editorial staff is reading my work. I'm just sayin...)

FWIW, I don't read Pitchfork on a daily basis. Probably once or twice a week.

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Radical Chicks and Mau-mauing the Rednecks: I'm totally amused. Are there three less likely looking radicals ?

J. Freedom du Lac: Well, they HAVE been wearing heavy eyeliner lately. Doesn't that count for something?

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Indianapolis, Ind.: I just wanted to say that I have enjoyed your music for many years now. After listening to an interview with you on NPR and reading a little more about "the indicident" and how you've handled it, my respect for your group has increased. I also think it's really cool that you wrote your own songs for your new CD. I plan on purchasing it in the near future. Good luck to you all and God Bless!

J. Freedom du Lac: Thank you for the kind words of support. I'm particularly proud of my new album. It's the most honest record I've made yet.

Don't let the little photo on the WP.com home page fool ya. It's still just me. No Dixie Chicks to see here; move along now. Sorry for the let-down.

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washingtonpost.com: Giving Indie Acts A Plug, or Pulling It; Pitchfork Web Site Rises as Rock Arbiter

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Whatever happened to : the Dixie Chicks? I found myself thinking about them this week, remembering a time when they could be in the New York Times and the Washington Post, appear on the cover of Time and get interviewed on NPR in a single week. Remember that?

I wonder whatever became of them. And really, I do kind of sort of wonder how Natalie Maines feels about President Bush. I wish I could pick up a magazine and find out. But I guess they've vanished from the scene, unlike the time when they were the Ubiquitous Chicks. Sigh . . .

J. Freedom du Lac: You know, I was wondering the same thing.

Thank goodness "Access Hollywood" is still giving them some run! (Oh, and "60 Minutes," too.)

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St. Louis, Mo.: The new Dixie Chicks album is the best music written by women for a women audience since Jagged Little Pill.

I love it.

J. Freedom du Lac: I'll have to take your word for it.

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El Lay, Calif.: Re: Alt-Country

Two more great bands in this vein are Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers out of Arizona, and I See Hawks in L.A. out of, well, L.A....

J. Freedom du Lac: The hits just keep on coming...

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Washington, D.C.: I still like the Dixie Chicks previous two albums (Fly and the other one), and have downloaded some of their stuff (legally!). Haven't heard anything off the new album. I used to like them as strong women, but now I think they're part of that celebrity cult that gets off on its own opinions. (For example, see their basically naked Entertainment Weekly cover story.)

They're too self-righteous for me. Same with Toby Keith (who, to correct an earlier comment, did break through several years before the "Boot" song, which, coincidentally, is when I started disliking him as well.)

Guess I'm just one of those people who would rather have my entertainers entertaining me than lecturing at me. If the music (or movies or whatever) is good, I like it - no politics attached.

J. Freedom du Lac: That's certainly your perrogative, though I don't think the new Chicks album is overtly political.

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cap hill manager: Not sure why there werent reviewed in the Post last week, but the Go-Go's sold out show at the 930 was awesome! Those women could teach todays whiny girl singers a thing or two! They rocked the place and sound better than ever!

J. Freedom du Lac: As they say in the old country: Can't review 'em all.

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Washington, D.C.: I watched Carson Daly a few nights ago and saw a band called Panic at the Disco.

Two thing struck me:

- there were at least 20 young babes in the audience singing along blissfully to "Build God then We'll Talk"

- the band was absolutely awful, almost unlistenable.

Are these guys as popular as the audince reaction indicated, or do you think the babes might have been planted?

J. Freedom du Lac: Maybe they were with the band. Or the record company. Or both.

Or maybe it's just that one person's awful/unlistenable is another's iPod On-The-Go playlist. That'd certainly help explain the popularity of Nick Lachey, whose new album is horrible. And yet, it's a bestseller.

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Herndon, Va.: Hi J. Free: Need your help. Graduated last week and got an iPod as a present. Also got a $25 gift card to iTunes. Have any recommendations for must have songs for the summer? My tastes are very wide ranging so any genre would be cool.

J. Freedom du Lac: Chris Richards recently launched a weekly download column called Singles File. Appears every Wednesday in Style (and on dot-com). It's absolutely worth reading every week, even if Chris does have strange musical tastes. (Ask me later about the time he borrowed the Windham Hill box set from me.)

Here are a few must-listens for you:

Gnarls Barkley, "Crazy"

Dixie Chicks, "Not Ready to Make Nice"

Oppenheimer, "Breakfast in NYC"

Psapp, "Tricycle"

E-40, "Tell Me When To Go"

Prince, "Black Sweat"

The Coup, "My Favorite Mutiny"

Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins, "The Big Guns"

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Washington, D.C.: Freedom -

Regarding a comment you made a few weeks ago that Pete Doherty/Libertines get far more attention for drug abuse than for their music. This is clearly the case but what do you actually think of the Libertines music?

Personally I see the two Libertines albums as classics. Some of the best music to come out of the UK this decade. Babyshambles clearly are lacking and I've not heard Carl's record yet, though he does have some good tunes.

J. Freedom du Lac: I think the Libertines were very good. But their art was - and probably always will be - overshadowed by Pete Doherty's off-stage issues. I mean, the guy manages to make Courtney Love seem stable, rock solid and pretty much a bore, ya know? And that ain't easy.

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Philadelphia, Pa.:

Do you think the Dixie Chicks would be getting this much publicity and be on the cover of Time if they said mean things about a Democrat president?

J. Freedom du Lac: What does that have to do with the price of tea in Lubbock?

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Baltimore, Md.: So me and my buddy Tom Clancy was out on the town the other night, and I don't mind telling you we tied a few on. After a couple of hours, Tommy C. stands up on the table and starts screaming, "Freedom isn't free!" over and over and over again.

After we got thrown out of the gentlemen's club I got to thinking -- what is it that you are charging Tom Clancy for that has him reduced to tears like that. I mean he's a grown man, for cryinoutloud!

J. Freedom du Lac: My legal team is on the case.

Actually, he's on vacation this week, working on some home projects before his internship begins. But he'll be on the case just as soon as he, um, finishes law school and passes the bar.

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washingtonpost.com: THE SINGLES FILE

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Washington, D.C.: And, the Chicks' quote you reference:

"I'd rather have a small following of really cool people who get it..."

is exactly why I won't buy their new album, despite being a fan of their music. It's seems incongrous to (rightly) defend their right to voice their opinion, while then slamming folks who don't subscribe to their viewpoint. That, and the jabs Natalie takes in the new album at the simple-ness of the lives of her former high school classmates' who have stayed in Lubbock, TX - just seem mean-spirited.

No matter how musically-gifted they are, it's the self-righteous attitude turning off this Texan...

J. Freedom du Lac: Depends on what "it" is. Maybe by "getting it" they mean people who get that in the US of A they should be allowed to speak their mind without having their songs pulled from country-radio playlists and without having their homes vandalized and their personal safety threatened.

But maybe that's not what they meant. So maybe you're right.

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Lost in Clarksburg: JFree, my good man. Thanks for the weekly diversion from cube heck.

Here's one for you you get to invite 2 female songwriter standouts to talk songwriting over the alcoholic beverage of your choice. Who do you choose, Lucinda Williams/Patty Griffin or Emmylou Harris/Joni Mitchell?

For the record, I'm picking Lucinda and Patty as Useless Desires is one of my favorite songs, and Car Wheels Down a Gravel Road has to be one of the best 3 CD's in the last 10 years. I mean, in my humble opinion of course.

As always, I remain your loyal minion.

J. Freedom du Lac: I go with Emmylou and Joni, because I have a longstanding crush on Emmylou - and because Lucinda seems like she'd just babble. She was kinda goofy when I saw her at the 9:30.

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Madison, Wis.: Just a shout-out to the original alt-countryist, Willie Nelson. How Nashville got from Willie (heck, and Waylon too) to Rascal Flatts or those other jokers is a mystery. But I'll take the Chicks and Willie any day.

J. Freedom du Lac: Willie, definitely. He's one of the greatest - and a personal fave.

Rascal Flatts: Journey with fiddle solos? Just wondering.

Speaking of Journey, somebody asked last week about Allison Stewart's Red Hot Chili Peppers review and its reference to Merle and Journey.

The question was: "When Alison Stewart reviewed the Chili Peppers' new CD, she said, "The Peppers are one of those acts who merely by surviving have become more interesting, like Merle Haggard or Journey." As a Haggard fan (and Journey hater) I am still trying to figure out that sentence. Given that Haggard was pretty interesting to start with (you know, getting out of prison, writing "Okie From Muskogee" and a bunch of great songs, getting married a lot), I don't know what she's driving at. And when you compare Haggard to Journey, you're walking on the fighting side of me. I need an explanation."

Here's Allison's response:

"I agree with your reader that Haggard-bless his heart-has done interesting things, just not recently. He spent most of the late 80s/early 90s being regarded as a cranky has-been, but he just sort of rode it out, and now he's seen as a cranky elder statesman, without having done much differently ( e.g., releasing a great, "American Recordings"-type album). Same thing with Journey; thanks mostly to "The O.C.," these days they're almost cool.

I was just making the point that if an artist hangs in there long enough, the public usually reconsiders them in a more serious light. How else to explain all the recent Barry Manilow love?"

She adds:

"PS-Still, I'm not sure being much-married makes you more interesting. Doesn't it just make you not very picky?"

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Alt-Country: Try Dave Alvin and Dwight Yoakam, two now-old guys who were as fresh as you could imagine when they invented alt-country about 20 years ago.

That's Dwight up to about 1998, that is. He hasn't been the same since he and Pete Anderson divorced.

J. Freedom du Lac: What's Pete Anderson doing now, anyway? Is he still releasing his own albums?

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Dixie Chicks: Did you not find it a bit over the top when Reba (Ha-Ha) came on with her vicious statement regarding the Dixie Chicks. In this day and age when freedom of the speech should be affirmed what does the supposed country hierachy do - slam the Dixie Chicks. As far as I am concerned the Chicks can say whatever they want. Come on if the barbs and threats recd by the Dixie Chicks had been aimed at the gentry of country music I am sure we would have been hearing about it for years to come. Way to go chicks - I can only wish they out sell them all. There is a saying that only the strongest survive and I think the chicks have not only survived but have shown why they are better than the good old boys and girls of Nashville.

J. Freedom du Lac: Oh, good old Reba is just mad that the Dixie Chicks sell more albums than she does.

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Take the Last Train to Clarksburg: My crush on Emmylou is much longer than yours, J. Freedom. And Joni Mitchell is a musical goddess. If any of you chatters haven't heard her, run out right now and get Blue, Ladies of the Canyon or Hejira.

J. Freedom du Lac: I won't disagree with you there.

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Orange, Va.: I've long enjoyed both Toby Keith's and The Dixie Chicks' music, way before their spat, and still think they both put some out unique and listenable stuff. If they want to fight about politics, that's their prerogative, I just like their tunes

Getting off soapbox now

J. Freedom du Lac: That's the way it probably should be, too. Alas, it ain't anymore.

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At least the Dixie Chicks are replacing the stupid DaVinci Code issue du jour: I think the Chicks' comment re the fans of Reba and Toby was mean. Why would they want to alienate a potential fan base? That's being elitist. But then grace is not part of the celebrity mantra anymore. I think their new stuff is great, unfortunately I think they were harsh to diss some of their fans.

J. Freedom du Lac: Alienate a potential fan base? You mean, the one that turned its back on the Chicks and even participated in CD-destroying events?

I don't think they're particularly concerned about finances at this point, anyway. Their previous three studio albums sold nearly 30 million copies in the US alone. Good for them for having the courage of their convictions. But even better, the new album is very very good. (Unlike Neil Young's, alas.)

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Southern Maryland: The thing that gets me is that the Dixie Chicks don't seem to have any appreciation for the fans who bought their previous albums. It's more like they're writing everyone off and hoping the "smarter" ones of the bunch follow their lead.

The don't play real country anyway. Even Natalie Maines says she doesn't listen to it. Stay out of that genre then and good riddance.

J. Freedom du Lac: One person's opinion.

Actually, this is an opinion shared by millions. It'll be interesting to see how the new album fares commercially. It's stiffing at radio - especially country radio, which was to be expected. And early industry estimates had the CD selling about 300K in the first week but Hits is saying that the album s doing much better than expected and could hit 450K. Not quite Rascal Flatts numbers, but still pretty decent.

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Rockville, Md.: The Dixie Chicks are just like Emeril Lagasse: ANNOYING!

J. Freedom du Lac: Natalie has a much better singing voice than that doofus.

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Washington, D.C. (again): Ohmygoodness. Of COURSE it is wrong for the Chicks to have been threatened in any way, shape or form. I hope they sought the full force of the courts against any such horrid action, and I believe such action is below deplorable.

But, I think I absolutely get "it" about their rights to express opinion. I hope they and other artists continue to do so - whether or not I agree - and feel free to do so without threat. Just as I will continue to express my opinion in the small way I can, by choosing to buy music that I don't feel is condescending about fellow human beings. In other words, I have no problem with their viewpoints - only the haughtiness in the delivery.

If this album isn't a success (which I'm interested to see), I believe it will be less about the opinions expressed, and more about the attitude in which the opinions are being delivered (in their promotional efforts).

Thank you for your time!

J. Freedom du Lac: Just passing this along.

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Dixie Chix: Hey, they've made their choice, and goody for them. Of course, it's pretty easy to complain about the free market when you've already made a few hundred million.

Want to impress me? Give it all to a worthy charity (they'd probably pick moveon.org, but it's their money) and start over with nothing but your name and reputation. Then see how well you do with those kinds of statements.

J. Freedom du Lac: Interesting. And I assume you've done the same with your money?

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Seattle, Wash.: Be it known that the Future of Music may bear on your answer...

My 8-year-old kid has picked up the guitar, and really digs it. Now, I've shared with him, to some extent, my taste, but I am not one with a huge "High-Fidelity" record collection.

What I want is the Freedom-approved list of guitar influences to expose him to before he ultimately pierces his chin and starts playing Slipknot.

J. Freedom du Lac: Start with Richard Thompson. You'll thank yourself later.

Actually, his music probably wouldn't interest an 8-yr-old.

How about starting with some blues? T-Bone Walker, Robert Johnson, BB King, etc.

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Warning: To the reader seeking itunes recommendations, these ones aren't available: Oppenheimer, "Breakfast in NYC"

Psapp, "Tricycle".

Guess it's back to Kazaa for those ones.

J. Freedom du Lac: They will be soon. The albums aren't yet out, I guess.

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Bethesda, Md.: I'm the one who was bugging you the past few weeks about the Raconteurs album. I agree the album was a letdown, though some of the songs are very good. I don't regret buying it -- with most other albums, I'd be happy enough. I just had my hopes too high.

For the Motor City Escapee who is hoping they will be better live, I can tell you they definitely were better in their live performance on XM.

So, am I the only one who isn't crazy about "Crazy"? I want to love it because of Dangermouse, really I do...

J. Freedom du Lac: Yes, you're the only one.

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Lake Jackson, Tex.: As a long time and continuing fan of the Dixie Chicks, it is my perception that the American press took the Chicks' now infamous remarks about President Bush out of context and out of proportion. Do the Dixie Chicks feel their 2003 comments about President Bush and the Iraq War were fairly represented in the American press? What clarifications and/or explanations would they like fans and viewers to consider so that we can better understand the environment in London in 2003?

J. Freedom du Lac: You'd have to ask the Dixie Chicks. I seem to have misplaced Natalie's number, though.

I don't think the press was a major driver in the backlash. Try talk radio and the blogsphere.

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Frederick, Md.: This chat is boring today. You're boring us, J. Freedom!

J. Freedom du Lac: Would you be more impressed if I hosted it from Starbucks and talked about Fremont, Calif?

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Washington, D.C.: FWIW, Panic! at the Disco sold out their June 27th 9:30 Club date weeks ago. They are crazy popular with the 13-year-old set, apparently. Too bad, because the truly great Dresden Dolls are opening for them. (How you move from opening for NIN to this boy band is the big question.)

J. Freedom du Lac: 13-year-olds and hot 20-year-olds, apparently.

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Garner, N.C.: Regarding the "Chicks".

It is our right to say as we please, and the "Chicks" have every right to criticize this or any president. By the same token, the public has every right to turn them off or stop listening to their music.

I guess my issue is how they act as if they've been wronged somehow. Far too often, people in entertainment stick their noses in places that they don't belong.

While you may garner a sector of support, you are also alienating others.

A Michal Jordan incident comes to mind. A number of years ago, he was asked why he didn't publicly support a certain democratic candidate. Jordan simply replied, "Republicans buy shoes too!"

J. Freedom du Lac: Another opinion.

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Alexandria, Va.: Chicks: I find it amusing that so many listeners out there have time to complain about the Dixie Chicks right to complain about the state of this country YET these people don't spend any time interpreting what they are saying. So what if they use their platform to educate the abundant population of country-music fans that don't have the brain power to educate themselves on issues that affect them each day. It saddens me to think of how many people out can't figure it out. Educate yourself before joining the bandwagon. Stop me now before I say what I am really thinking!

J. Freedom du Lac: And another.

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Ashburn, Va.: Is the new Johnny Cash album, Personal File, worth picking up?

J. Freedom du Lac: Absolutely. Though it'll undoubtedly end the year as the second-best Johnny Cash album of 2006. I can't wait to hear "V," which is coming out July 4.

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Washington, D.C. : From watching the Country Music Awards last night, there seemed to be a pretty big emphasis on featuring music that has a more traditional feel than "Alt-Country." Do you have to be accepted by a genre to be in that genre? Or have the Chicks been permenantly excommunicated from country? In what section of the music store should I look for their albums now? Pop? Alternative Rock? Reba got a good response after her joke about the Chicks singing with their foot in their mouths. I can't believe they don't have any friends left in Nashville?

J. Freedom du Lac: You can find them on the endcaps. They'll be prominently displayed, because the industry knows that for all the poopie-stirring they've done, they're still going to make a lot of people a lot of money. To that end, I'm sure they have a lot of friends left in Nashville. Accountants, mostly.

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Sacramento, Calif.: He said chicks...

J. Freedom du Lac: Thank you, Beavis.

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Gaithersburg, Md.: The one Dixie Chick is a little rough looking. She looks like the next candidate for the metro door closing contest!

J. Freedom du Lac: Ouch.

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Willie Fan: J Freedom: How do you reconcile the fact that Wilie Nelson, who has always been political, has not suffered the Wrath of the Righteous, yet the Dixie Chicks HAVE...is this a sexist sort of thing?

J. Freedom du Lac: Maybe there will be some Willie backlash when the smoke clears. Only, it never clears when he's around.

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Falls Church, VA: re: Chicks

Allow me to quote from the last verse of a song I mentioned last week, when you "haxed me":

Well I know it wasn't you who held me down

Heaven knows it wasn't you who set me free

So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains

And we never even know who holds the key

Me - I'm already gone

J. Freedom du Lac: Okay, I'll allow you..

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Out of The Loop, Apparently: What exactly did Reba say about the Chicks?

J. Freedom du Lac: Nobody knows. They were all watching American Idol.

(What genius scheduled an awards show against the AI final? Did CBS learn nothing from this year's Grammy bloodbath? Oh, wait - they did! The Grammys are moving to Sunday night next year.)

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Richmond, Va.: I like Jimmie Rodgers. He sang about trains.

J. Freedom du Lac: You sound like that Brick guy on "Anchorman." You know, the one who said, eg: "I pooped a cornish game hen."

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Madison, Wis. (again): As to the Chicks/Toby Keith kerfuffle, the question is, WWLGD (What would Lee Greenwood do?)

J. Freedom du Lac: Boom tsk.

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Indianapolis, Ind.: The Gnarls Barkley single, which you've been raving about for weeks, doesn't seem to be on the radio all that much. I read a New York Times review today in which the critic said he hopes the song will be all over the radio this summer. Why the delay?

Oh, and just so you know, most of us in Indianapolis can tell the difference between you and the Dixie Chicks.

J. Freedom du Lac: Maybe the corporate radio overlords are too busy conspiring against the Dixie Chicks to get "Crazy" onto the radio. Or, it could just be that the song might be a bit too, you know ... bizarre/different for some formats here.

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Easy Question: Hi J.,

I have a random question that stems from the ubiquitious Rick Rubin producing the Dixie Chicks new CD. What does a producer "do?" If having a producer attached to a certain CD excites you because of his previous work, how much of the CD is him and how much is the artist? Does that make sense?

J. Freedom du Lac: Rick Rubin doesn't work like other producers. He's sort of an overseer and an idea-exchanger. At least in his rock era he is, anyway. (It was kinda different back when he was still doing hip-hop.)

Some producers really get into the technical side of putting an album together. Rick is more about drawing out ideas and getting artists inspired via discussions. He'll also put people together (which is how Dan Wilson, Gary Louris, Benmont Tench, Mike Campbell, Chad Smith, et al, wound up working on this project). And he'll make specific suggestions about arrangements/instrumentation/etc.

I get excited when he produces an album largely because of his ability to get the most out of the artists he's working with. He also has interesting ideas, eg steering Johnny Cash in his stripped-down late-career direction.

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Washington, D.C.: Okay enough with the Dixie Chicks hype, already! Let's get to some real music. Where's the dude that always asks the Tool questions?

J. Freedom du Lac: He's probably passed out. The last couple-few weeks have been very exciting for him.

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Washington, D.C.: Going by what I'm guessing is your middle name does not make your reviews any better. It only makes you sound like a pretentions idiot.

God help you if that isn't your real middle name.

J. Freedom du Lac: Don't make me write a song about you.

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Anonymous: I love country music, but Nashville is the worst and always will be. They ran Willie out of town! Who hates Willie? Buck Owens had it right -- move to the sticks (Bakersfield) and buy up all the radio stations.

J. Freedom du Lac: Steve Earle, too.

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Washington, D.C.: Lee Greenwood would accept $40K from a DC trade association to write a song

J. Freedom du Lac: But would he then donate the money to moveon.org?

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Please: Tell us about the time Chris Richards borrowed your Windham Hill box set.

J. Freedom du Lac: He's suffered enough today, don't you think?

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Washington, D.C.: The Dixie Chicks and Pearl Jam would make for a nice tour.

J. Freedom du Lac: Musically? Not really.

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It's Bob Dylan's 65th Birthday: ...take moment from the Chicks' discussion to wish a happy brthday to the most influental songwriter of all...

J. Freedom du Lac: Here's to Zimmy.

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Speaking of Genres: How the hell did Sheryl Crow end up in the country bin ?

J. Freedom du Lac: Eric Clapton dumped here there?

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Winslow, Ariz.: Are we allowed to quote the "Eagles" now? I'd like to submit that one about sitting on fences and don't draw the Queen of Diamonds she'll beat you if she's a-Bull.

J. Freedom du Lac: Sure. Eagles are OK. No Tool, though.

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Raleigh, N.C.: Re the Dixie Chicks.

I think some of the things that happened in the backlash against Maines's original comments about Bush are downright scary and flat-out unacceptable in a free society. Every person has the right to take a political stance. But I have a problem with Maines saying immediately after the backlash: "As a concerned American citizen, I apologize to President Bush because my remark was disrespectful. I feel that whoever holds that office should be treated with the utmost respect" and now saying she's reconsidered her apology three years later (and coincidentially with a new album release) and now stating "I don't feel [Bush] is owed any respect whatsoever." To me this smacks of publicity-hunting.

Thoughts?

And for the record, I totally agree with the Chicks' stance on the war.

J. Freedom du Lac: Another opinion.

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dixie chicks, phooey: I heard the new single, and while it's all admirable and stuff, it's not all that good. Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins' songs are far, far better.

J. Freedom du Lac: And another. (I love me some Jenny Lewis.)

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Dixie Chix (again): Of course I haven't given away all my money, but I have walked away from a bad corporate situation and started a new business with just my talent (no snickering, please).

My point is that if I want to make statements guaranteed to alienate a significant part of my client base, I'd better (a) have enough resources to ride it out or (b) not complain about being broke because I've been rejected by the market after running my mouth.

Those country stations that aren't playing the album can't afford to have listeners reach for the dial when the Chix come on, because they have an obligation to their shareholders to keep as many listeners as possible. Everybody has a boss, you know? At least until they make some F-U money.

J. Freedom du Lac: And a response re an realier post.

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Arizona Bay, Ariz.: The TOOL concert in Philadephia last Wednesday ROCKED!!!!!! That band and any of their songs blow away Gnarls Barkley, the Dixie Chicks, or any other band that no one will remember in 5 years any day of the week.

J. Freedom du Lac: There goes the neighborhood: He's back.

Here's one person's (incorrect) opinion.

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Arlington, Va.: Re: Dan Wilson/Rick Rubin

Is that the Twin Cities' own Dan Wilson, formerly of Trip Shakespeare and that other one-hit wonder I can't remember from the late '90s? This inquiring mind needs to know!

J. Freedom du Lac: Yes, indeed. (Semisonic is the band in question.)

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Rosslyn, Va.: Hey J. Free.

Better summer song: Rihanna "SOS" or Nelly Furtado "Promiscuous"? I'm leaning toward the Nelly Furtado, but that "Tainted Love" sample is used really well.

J. Freedom du Lac: I prefer "SOS" (another summer song worth downloading, btw). But I've been urged by a certain Wyndham Hill-loving colleague to listen to "Promiscuous" again and maybe even again after that. He thinks I'm overlooking its genius. I thikn he's losing his hearing, personally.

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Washington, D.C.: Please excuse my poor spelling. I meant to say that going by your first initial and middle name makes you seem like a pretentious idiot.

Am I to understand that having a song written about me is some sort of threat/punishment?

J. Freedom du Lac: That's OK, nobody around here can spell - or type.

I'm definitely a pretentious idiot. That's why I chose that byline. I think names are very important. I hate it when bad names happen to decent/good people/artists. Boy Least Likely To, eg.

If you've ever heard me sing, you'd agree that I was most definitely threatening you.

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Alexandria, Va.: Hey J. Free!

What's on the weekend hot to-do list for indie rock shows?

J. Freedom du Lac: Does it get anymore indie than Bruce Springsteen at Nissan Pavilion?!

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Bethesda, Md.: Have you heard the Wolfmother album? What do you think? I've only heard a couple of singles, but they seem promising.

J. Freedom du Lac: I like them. Between Wolfmother and Sam Roberts, this might be a very good year, indeed, for newish classic rock bands. I REALLY like the Sam Roberts CD.

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Falls Church, Va.: Country music is very unforgiving. In the mid-'60s some of the country music establishment questioned Buck Owens' dedication to country after a crossover hit -- Buck took an ad out in Billboard promising to only perform country songs...

J. Freedom du Lac: How sweet. Jeez.

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Charlottesville, Va.: J.Free - how do you feel about The Boy Least Likely To? "Be Gentle With Me" nearly caused me to keel over from a cute attack. If anything, it's better than Yummy-3...

J. Freedom du Lac: I agree: That's a pretty tasty song.

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Re: Dylan's BDay: It isn't until next Wednesday, genius. Don't disrespect the man.

J. Freedom du Lac: I think you need to turn the calendar page. Today is the day.

And now is the time for us to say sayonara.

Thanks for stopping by, folks. It's been fun.

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Free Mont: J. Free: Instead of Starbucks how about a Biergarten?

J. Freedom du Lac: Do they have wi-fi access? If so, I'm there.

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