Natalie Maines - 'Mother' [VIDEO]: Former Dixie Chicks Lead Singer Releases Solo Album, 2013 Tour Dates with Ben Harper?

Former lead singer of country music trio The Dixie Chicks, Natalie MAines, has released her first solo ablum today entitled Mother. This debut album launches the Grammy Award-winner away from her country music roots and into the realm of bluesy rock n' roll. Thanks to producer Ben Harper, the 38-year-old singer has put together an album full of impressive covers and original works written by outside songwriters. After her very successful and controversial country career, it looks like Maines is coming back into the spotlight the way that she wants to and Mother has been garnering plenty of positive reviews already!

In Michael McCall's review of Mother on the Huffington Post, he states:

"As with [Dixie Chicks' Grammy Award winning album, Take the Long Way Home], Maines sets aside the cheeky playfulness that marked her success in country music. Instead, she carefully curates an album of covers and originals by other writers_with one strong original, "Take It On Faith." She leans hard on philosophical lyrics about self-identity (the title song, "Free Life") and the importance of strong relations ("Without You," "Come Cryin' To Me"). Much like Maines' public persona since her fallout with the conservative right after speaking out against the Iraq War, the songs waver between gutsy stands and seeking shelter with those who care for and understand her."

This last bit refers to the time in 2003 when Maines announced to a crowd in London that the Dixie Chicks were "ashamed that the president of the United States is from Texas." This comment resulted in a terrible backlash against the musicians and even led to Maines eventually leaving the group after their 2006 album, Take the Long Way Home.

But Maines is back and is impressing pretty much everyone so far!

Back in February of this year, Natalie and producer/collaborator Ben Harper told Billboard Magazine that they intended to tour in support of Mother. Harper said, "I get to be a sideman!" 

There have been no official announcements of a tour in support of the record, but considering Mother just came out today we should expect some news in the near future.

Check out this interview of Maines from USA Today, where the singer talks about her new album and her life after Dixie Chicks: