I was thinking just the other day about whatever happened to that old “Dixie Chicks� sound. You remember that, don’t you? That sound that sparked a whole craze of female musicians to want to pick up their instruments and jam. The same sound too that use to rave through the speakers of country radio with such fire and passion. It only seems that now after nine long years, and numerous hate press on their side, The Dixie Chicks have been having a hard time trying to recapture their golden age. Wait a minute… this isn’t a Dixie Chicks record I‘m reviewing. Let’s move on…

A generation removed, it seems as if, now, a whole new pack of upstarts have taken that old blueprint of “girl power� and sculpted it into a creation all their own. Take for example a new group like The Wreckers. A duo formed by pop starlet Michelle Branch and her country pal, Jessica Harp. I first came across these two fine young ladies when I was looking for some new music to hear over the summer. I had been exposed to their catchy first single “Leave The Pieces,� when I saw their video on CMT, and was humming it enough times during the day to give them a chance with their debut effort, “Stand Still, Look Pretty�. Needless to say, this album is quite the contrary to the music we have come to aspect from an artist such as pop orientated as Michelle Branch. Instead of the catchy choruses, Branch’s unique partnership with fellow singer/songwriter Jessica Harp at times gives the duo a Gillian Welch folkie appeal that most of her faithful fans probably wouldn’t catch on with right away. Still, not worry hardcore fans, there’s plenty of good old country music and modern pop sensibilities found in this selection of material to make it worth your while too. Some of the finest cuts even include the down home country and bluegrass displayed in tracks like “Tennessee,� “Cigarettes,� and “Oh My, My,�. The pop flavor in cuts like “The Good Kind,� and the somewhat comical closer “Only Crazy People,� gives some edge to the two performers sense of offbeat humor. Maybe in a country world, hearing somebody say things like their relationships have sucked royally in the past is actually a good thing for oneself. Only in country music can someone get away with that, am I right?

If you were someone who was a fan of the Dixie Chicks back in there heyday, I would encourage you to take some time and listen to this album. I’m sure that most people probably would, considering the fact that The Wreckers sound fits the bill quite well. It’s a little country and a little pop. A great blend that will sure to please the average listener. And besides, while the Dixie Chicks appear to be on a country music hiatus these days, it’s only fair to have some new blood share their spotlight for awhile.

…And who knows, If they really are that good then just maybe they’ll eat it up entirety.