Court Yard Hounds

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Average Customer Rating:	4.0
Release Date:	2010-05-04
Publisher:	Columbia
Artist:	Court Yard Hounds
Track 1:	Skyline
Track 2:	The Coast
Track 3:	Delight (Something New Under The Sun)
Track 4:	See You In The Spring (Duet with Jacob Dylan)
Track 5:	Ain't No Son
Track 6:	Fairytale
Track 7:	I Miss You
Track 8:	Gracefully
Track 9:	April's Love
Track 10:	Then Again
Track 11:	It Didn't Make A Sound
Track 12:	Fear Of Wasted Time
Weight:	0.13 pounds

Product Categories

CD Album; Main Albums; All product; Music

Product description

Emily Robison and Martie Maguire of The Dixie Chicks are releasing new music under the moniker Court Yard Hounds.
The Court Yard Hounds profoundly evocative songs tell stories woven into melodies that are both individual and universal. Robison is the lead vocalist and primary writer on most of the tracks, although Maguire takes over the lead on her own solo composition, "Gracefully". The new music spans sounds of folk, country, rock and Americana and includes a collaboration with Jakob Dylan on "See You in the Spring", the wry tale of a couple from the northernmost and southernmost parts of the country who find their biggest obstacle is climatic.

Texas also asserts itself more contentedly in "The Coast", which celebrates neither the east nor west but south coast, and Skyline, which was inspired by the view of San Antonio from Robison's loft. Faster paced songs range from the self-doubting levity of "Then Again" to the fiery outrage of "Ain't No Son", a song about an angry, disapproving father. Fairytale speaks to romantic enchantment, while there's no happily-ever-after in sight in the breakup songs "April's Love" and "It Didn't Make a Sound".

Customer reviews

« Haven't bought it ... yet. »

I haven't purchased the album yet but have listened to several of the songs in different places and have really enjoyed what I've heard. Personally, my wife and I loved the Dixie Chicks first album, I think mainly because my wife is a singer and was able to sing a lot of their music at her gigs because of their popularity at the time. The Chicks sound was different and unique which we really liked, from what I've heard, this album has a lot of the great harmonies in it too. For whatever reasons they chose to not use Natalie on this project(Several have been released), I'm just glad they did. I agree with everyone who said that Natalie had every right to say what she did. She did, but that doesn't mean that the ones offended by what she said shouldn't also have the right as Americans to choose not to buy their music and to let radio stations know that if the Chicks music was played the dial would move elsewhere. What a lot of actors and musicians don't understand is most people could care less about their politics or their opinions on A or B, we listen or watch them because of their talents in their fields and for me personally I use music (or movies) to take me away from all the hoopla so when they bring the hoopla into the interviews or on stage or?? I find others who just stick to what they are gifted to do. Again, I am just glad that the sisters decided to try it on their on because it was a shame that their talents were not able to shine.

Rating: (4 out of 5) @ 2010-08-23

« Disappointing »

I guess it all depends on what you'd expect. I find most of the music of Dixie Chicks great. So I was excited when I saw this release. But hm... not a lot to shout of here.
The coverart is probably the best thing about this release.
Most songs have no identity. This is one of those releases you feel that because of their reputation/name they would do ok. But where is the heart? I find the songs too plain, and to be honest boring. It gives me nothing.
It's clear they lack the personality and sound of Natalie Maines. They come to short with no strong leadvocals.

Rating: (2 out of 5) @ 2010-08-13

« Great CD, I highly recommend »

This CD is better than I expected, and I expected quite a bit. It didn't exactly strike me as fantastic on the first listen through, but it's one of those that only gets better the more you hear it. I knew how good this one really was, when after not listening to it for a few days I went backpacking for 5 days. Throughout the whole trip, it was songs from this CD that kept popping up into my head.

Rating: (5 out of 5) @ 2010-08-09

« These HOUNDS Will Have You Howling! »

Having never been a really big fan of the Dixie Chicks, I only picked up 2006's TAKING THE LONG WAY for two reasons...first, I thought the pairing of the group with producer Rick Rubin was an interesting one. Second, I felt I needed to support a group who took SO much heat (I mean, c'mon, DEATH THREATS?!?) just for voicing their opinions. The fact that I loved the album as much as I did was just a pleasant added bonus.
I was just as intrigued (and equally pleased!) when I read about sisters Emily Robison and Martie Mcguire's side project, COURT YARD HOUNDS. This infectious amalgamation should get under the skin ~ and stay there! ~ of anyone who loves pop, rock, country, bluegrass, Americana and, especially, Sheryl Crow.
Things open on a gentle, relaxed note with the subdued, albeit sublime, "Skyline." Anchored by an arrangement that literally floats out of the speakers, Robison's lead vocal is delicate, yet steely. Toss in some bittersweet lyrics ("What am I doin' here/In such a lonely place?/Birds fly below/I'm high up in my cage") and you have a powerhouse of an album opener.
"The Coast" is one of my favorite cuts off of CYH....there's just an exuberant joyfulness to the track that wins you over right from the first listen. Robison's lead vocal simply soars, while the arrangement bops along at a finger-popping gait. This track is pop music at it's finest, sheer aural perfection....and a WHOLE lot of fun!
There's a smooth, easy-going give and take vibe to "Delight (Something New Under The Sun)." When things amp up for the chorus, well, it feels natural and real. There's an overall ebb and flow to the cut that's just mesmerizing...by the time you get to that bridge...WOW! One of the disc's nicest moments.
Things take a 180 with "See You In The Spring", an aching duet with Jakob Dylan. This story of a doomed bi-coastal romance sports a stunning pair of vocals, a heartfelt arrangement and powerful lyrics ("Well, babe, can't you give it time?/I'll keep you warm at night/This town's all I know/And I could see you in my life"). Lovely.
And then there's "Ain't No Son." This bluegrass strummer soon morphs into a blistering rocker, as it tells the tale of a bitter father who can't accept who his son is. Great vocal, great instrumentation....but it's the lyrics that really hit hard here: "Stranger, stranger on the wall/When the neighbors come to call/I just don't know what to say/So I put you away/This time I won't leave a trace/I'll fill up the empty space." Another winner!
There's a striking similarity throughout much of COURT YARD HOUNDS to a lot of Sheryl Crow's work, and nowhere is that more evident than on "Fairytale." Simple, sincere, honest, real....Robinson's vocal just tugs at your heartstrings. And when she gets to the closing lines of "Every girl wants the fairytale/I guess I do too"...well, they just snap!
"I Miss You" is chock full of silly lyrics ("I miss you/I can't wait to kiss you"...really? REALLY??), but the arrangement is so melodic and tuneful that you can't help but forgive the track it's lyrical transgressions. Add in a lead vocal to the mix that is both sultry and sly and a throwaway cut becomes an enchanting winner.
Martie Mcguire takes center stage on the gauzy "Gracefully." Blessed with a strong lead vocal, haunting arrangement and mournful instrumentation, you're left wanting more from her. Here's hoping that, unlike Jean Millington and the work she's done with sister June since their days in Fanny, and Nancy Wilson with big sister Ann in Heart, Mcguire won't take such a back seat to Robison on future CYH projects.
"Delicate" is also the best way to describe the gorgeous "April's Love." With it's minimal arrangement (love the cello!) and feathery lead vocal, there's just something hypnotic about the cut. Pointed lyrics ("You didn't take a stand/You didn't hold my hand/You should have held on tight") round out another real gem.
"Then Again" is another one of my favorite cuts...there's just a quirky, clever edge to the track! The arrangement just kind of chugs along, while Robison's vocal has a nice little lilt to it, sort of coy, kind of playful. All of this (barely) masks the sardonic lyrics ("And just to keep the peace and quiet/I'd forfeit my peace of mind/Then again, I never did understand me"). A powerful blend of light...and dark.
However, the disc's true high point has to be the rollicking "It Didn't Make A Sound." Part bluegrass shuffle, part boogie-woogie stomper, this rave-up's fun from start to finish (I particularly love that juke-jammin' piano!!). Blend in another sexy lead vocal and you have one of the Top 25 recordings of the last decade. Mark my word, this is a mass appeal hit just waiting to happen! LOVE....IT!!!
Things wind down with the touching "Fear Of Wasted Time", an ode to evolution, change, quiet moments and not wasting one second once you realize how precious each one is. Ethereal vocals, muted, yet sweet, instrumentation and insightful lyrics ("Time might pass me by/If I close my eyes/So I'm on the next plane/Leavin' town") all meld together in a perfectly cohesive manner. The perfect way to end an already stunning effort!
And COURT YARD HOUNDS is just that, a stunning piece of work that proves Emily Robison and Martie Mcguire are true contenders. Any thoughts anyone may have that these two are simply that other Chick's back-up band have now, once and for all, been squashed like a bug on a Texas windshield. I, for one, can't wait to see what these sisters do next! (As with all my reviews, I'm giving the disc an extra half a star for including the lyrics...a real rarity in releases this year!).

Rating: (4 out of 5) @ 2010-08-02

« Weak vocal, weak songwriting... not bad but not GOOD »

This is such a hard review to write. I really wanted to like this cd. I listened to it so many times. It isn't bad, it simply isn't good. I can't put my finger on why it isn't good. It just doesn't have that spark that brings it all together to make a good cd. I have always said that the Dixie Chicks were just Natalie Maines with backup singers. The first cd they released had all three girls singing a wonderful harmony. The subsequent cd's turned into Natalie as the focus. Now I know why. Emily and Marty do not have lead vocal ability. They do not have bad voices. Unfortunately, they don't have voices that I enjoyed listening to. I kept thinking if the songs had been better written it would make up for the weak vocals. Oddly enough, my favorite song was with Martie in the lead vocal and Emily singing harmony. (Let me go gracefully) So, I would give this cd a pass unless you are just a die hard fan of the sisters.

Rating: (3 out of 5) @ 2010-07-31

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