Review: Eric Church "Chief"

"Chief"

I think it's a safe bet to say Eric Church rocks harder than just about anybody in country music right now, as anyone who witnessed his 2009 show at the New York State Fair can attest to. In fact, he rocked the stage so hard that September afternoon he broke his foot during the show (apparently a common occurrence for country singers). Fans of Church's hard-rockin' ways won't be disappointed by his new album "Chief." Here's my track-by-track review of the singer's third album.

1) "Creepin'" -- No, this isn't a song about a stalker, or anything to that effect like I thought it was. Church wails about those feelings/memories of a lost lover that keep on crawling back, despite the fact that he thinks they're long gone. Not to mention the way the song's tempo creeps up throughout the song. Not a bad offering, but not quite Church's best.

2) "Drink In My Hand" -- Every country album has to have a good drinkin' song, and "Drink In My Hand" is one of the better tracks on "Chief." Church celebrates the various occasions to throw a cold one back, whether it's the end of a gruelling 40-hour work week, jammin' with the band or sneakin' a peek at lower-back tattoo at the bar. Excellent song to start a Friday night.

3) "Keep On" -- Another solid offering, "Keep On" chronicles Church's attempt to steal that girl at the bar from the cowboy on her arm. Fun track about sweeping the girl off her feet by brawling with her man in the parking lot.

4) "Like Jesus Does" -- Probably the closest thing to a traditional country song on "Chief," but it seems half-hearted. It's the only love song on the album, so if that's what you're looking for, "Chief" probably isn't for you. I think if Church had been a little less progressive with this one it could have been a great track, but something about it just feels off.

5) "Hungover and Hard Up" -- Another forgettable track, this one about trying to drink away the one that got away. Church provides some witty lyrics, such as "I'm tired of this see-saw merry-go-round, so Mary you can go to hell." But the track isn't as good as "Creepin'" "Jack Daniels," or "I'm Gettin' Stoned," which all cover a similar topic.

6) "Homeboy" -- The first single off  "Chief" and one of the best tracks. Story of a young man who leaves his small town to run city streets with his "hip-hop hat and your pants on the ground," and the brother who pleads with him to come home and stay out of trouble. "Homeboy" provides the best of the progressive sound Church shoots for on this album, as well as outstanding lyrics.

7) "Country Music Jesus" -- After a revelation, Church realizes that we need a second coming before it's too late in "Country Music Jesus." Whether he's looking for a country music saviour or the actual return of Christ, I can't tell. But I do know that in Church's mind it's gonna be one hell of an event when it happens. One of the better songs on "Chief."

8) "Jack Daniels" -- Church already tackled bar-room fighting in "Keep On" and he returns to the topic in "Jack Daniels." Obviously, the opponent is of a different variety this time around, and according to Church a much tougher opponent. Of course, the song again focuses on fighting memories with whiskey, and this one's also a keeper.  

9) "Springsteen" -- "Springsteen" is a reminiscing-about-a-high-school-sweetheart version of  Brad Paisley's "Old Alabama," where Church remembers puppy love through Boss hits like "Born To Run" and "Glory Days." It also reminds me of "Tim McGraw" by Taylor Swift, in that Church asks his former flame if she also thinks about him when she hears those familiar songs. Definitely worth a listen.

10) "I'm Gettin' Stoned" -- Church revisits the drink-away-an-ex ground that should feel familiar to listeners at this point. However, "I'm Gettin' Stoned" is the best of the bunch, a hard-rocker for "all us haters of old lovers new last names." Church mixes bitterness with anger and that one sure-fire way to forget for a while, making this one of the best tracks on the album.

11) "Over When It's Over" -- Evokes the same emotions found in Billy Currington's "Love Done Gone" without the peppy melody. Church basically tells his lover "it is what it is," and it isn't love anymore and there's nothing they can do about it. Not a bad track.

Overall, "Chief" is a pretty solid offering from a guy who is building himself a solid career in Nashville. Although it isn't traditional country by any means, this album has some great tracks mixed in with a couple busts. It will be interesting to see if this change in style derails Church's growing momentum or allows him to pick up steam.