Fly

With more than six million copies of the Chicks' first album Wide Open Spaces sold, the highest ever by a country group, it's reasonable to have pretty imposing expectations of their sophomore album. But Fly delivers. When you watch Natalie, Martie, and Emily being interviewed on TV or performing in front of an audience, they always look they are having a blast. And that fun shines through in their songs, particularly in "Goodbye Earl," a song about spousal abuse and getting even. If someone like Patty Loveless or Faith Hill sang it, it'd seem silly, but with Natalie's sassy vocals and Emily and Martie's spirited harmonies, it's just good, plain, ol' fun. From the first track, the ebullient "Ready to Run," to the final track, the wistful "Let Him Fly," the Chicks know how to belt out a tune with confidence and flair and have a good time doing it.