Dixie Chicks Magazine Archive
Risk a Version?

Home

2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
Chicks Links
Contact Me

By Michelle Kleinsak
Entertainment Weekly - February 4, 2003

EW rates covers of Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide."  The Dixie Chicks - who brought the song to the country AND to the top 10 - aren't the only act to take a stab at the soft-rock classic.
 
With the Dixie Chicks' take on Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide" lodged in the top 10, we decided to round up other renditions of the soft-rock classic.  Which versions "rise above" and which belong in a landfill?  Or, to paraphrase Stevie Nicks, "Oh, mirror in the sky, what is a good cover?"
 
DIXIE CHICKS
Appears on  2002's "Home"
How much it nicks from Nicks  Slick and twangy, it has little in common with Stevie's understated ballad.
Best reason to listen to it instead of the original  Three pretty voices are better than one.  Plus ... fiddles!
Best reason not to  The original's introspective mood is lost in the Chicks' cheerful interpretation.
Artists' random David E. Kelley connection  Ally McBeal's Jane Krakowski appeared in their "Goodbye Earl" video.
Grade  B-
 
JOEY McINTYRE
Appears on  2002's "One Too Many: Live From New York"
How much it nicks from Nicks  Despite his heartfelt delivery, there's no confusing Joe Mac with the Mac.
Best reason to listen to it instead of the original  Those girls in the audience are woo-hooing about SOMETHING.
Best reason not to  It devolves into a sing-along of Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time."
Artist's random David E. Kelley connection  He's the new kid in the teachers' lounge on Boston Public.
Grade  C+
 
VENICE
Appears on  1999's "Spin Art"
How much it nicks from Nicks  Their low-key, SoCal vibe is so in keeping with the spirit of the Mac classic, Nicks has been known to join them on stage.
Best reason to listen to it instead of the original  Outstanding four-part harmonies.
Best reason not to  Their earnest mellow-rock sound can get a little cheeseball.
Artists' random David E. Kelley connection  Vonda Shepard covered two Venice songs on Ally.
Grade  B-
 
SMASHING PUMPKINS
Appears on  1994's "Pisces Iscariot"; 2001's "Greatest Hits"
How much it nicks from Nicks  Gravel-voiced Billy Corgan channels his innter Stevie.
Best reason to listen to it instead of the original  It'll make you nostalgic for navel-gazing early-'90s alt-rock.
Best reason not to  It'll make you wonder if navel-gazing '70s classic rock was better.
Artists' random David E. Kelley connection  Ex-Pumpkins bassist D'Arcy could be Portia de Rossi's long-lost twin.
Grade  A-

The have-to-have fine print!  This site is only meant for the enjoyment of Dixie Chicks fans and is not meant to impose upon the Chicks themselves or anyone/anything related to them.  The articles presented here are not meant to infringe upon any copyright laws, but are only to be read out of enjoyment and to pass along information to other Chicks fans.  Thank you for your understanding.  If you feel there are any problems or conflicts, please feel free to contact me at croivic@hotmail.com