>Dixie Chicks, Taking the Long Way
After the backlash from singer Natalie Maines's anti-Bush comments in 2003, this time it's personal for the Chicks, who are still "mad as hell" and boldly move further away from the sound of the country establishment.
Gnarls Barkley, St. Elsewhere
This duo comes off like OutKast at a rave on a beat-heady disc that melds Cee-Lo's gritty, gospel-infused vocals with Danger Mouse's hip-hop electronica.
Van Hunt, On the Jungle Floor
The alternative soul man will floor you with his sensational second album, on which he pulls a Prince, deftly handling a slew of styles, from jazzy funk to psychedelic pop.
Rockie Lynne, Rockie Lynne Sounding
a little like Pat Green and displaying the self-effacing appeal of Eddy Arnold, Lynne rocks on a country debut that is musical and entertaining.
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