Natalie Maines - Mother

Fans expect surprises from the Dixie Chicks’ lead singer. In 2002, Maines knocked fellow country musician Toby Keith’s song “Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue” as jingoistic and then criticized U.S. president George W. Bush over the Iraq invasion. Recently, the mother of two helped to free the wrongfully accused Memphis Three.

Now Maines has made a solo debut that is more rock than country. Co-produced with Grammy-winning artist Ben Harper, the 10 songs are surprisingly edgy. “Free Life” and the title track, a Pink Floyd ballad, are connected to the Memphis Three case. And covers of Eddie Vedder’s “Without You” and Jeff Buckley’s “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” are emotionally rich. But Maines is at her rock mama best on “Come Cryin’ to Me,” which she co-wrote with the Jayhawks’ Gary Louris and fellow Chicks Martie Maguire and Emily Robison. Always provocative politically, Maines is now stretching her creative wings.