The Chicks - Wide Open Spaces (2016) Hi-Res

The crossover hit that launched a million girl-power imitators, Wide Open Spaces puts a fresh, optimist polish on its deep country roots. Opener "Can Love You Better," which struts with dobro twang, and "There’s Your Trouble" owe to the sass of The Judds and Shania Twain but Dixie Chicks' lead vocalist Natalie Maines immediately stands out as one of the most confident voices of her generation. Matched with the backing vocals and strings-playing of sisters Martie and Emily Erwin, it's lightning in a bottle.

Even before the first verse, the title single evokes wide, open spaces via banjo and fiddle and by the time it hits the staggering harmonies of the chorus, the song absolutely soars. Ballad "Loving Arms" (first made famous by Kris Kristofferson) haunts with steel guitar and an angel's chorus. Drinking song "Tonight the Heartache's on Me" is whiskey woozy, and "Let 'Er Rip" unspools a boogie-woogie straight out of Bakersfield. The album wraps up with a barnburner cover of Bonnie Raitt's "Give It Up or Let Me Go." It’s all loose in attitude but as technically tight as they come, proving these Chicks are their own women.