Redmon & Vale (DreamWorks Nashville, 1999)

With the overwhelming success of the Dixie Chicks, clones were bound to happen in the form of female groups. But with the release of newcomers Redmon & Vale, the Chicks have little to worry about.

The duo mines the generic, overproduced field of bland pop country. Too fast a beat, too little diversity, too much drums. Too many monochromatic songs about love.

Redmon & Vale is ever so slightly higher on the country quotient, but these chicks are imitators not trailblazers. They sing nicely together with strong harmonies, but you had the feeling these guys kept one, maybe both, ears glued to the radio in recording this. Rest easy Chicks.