Blending together traditional country music arrangements with a dash of rock and roll, Eric Church’s Chief is an adequately solid country album. In my mid-20’s this album meant a lot to me, speaking to my long-lasting love for rock as well as my ever-growing appreciation for country music.
As the years have gone by I feel this connection has waned a bit. Not because Chief is an inherently poorly executed album, but because it doesn’t necessarily feel as authentic as it once did a decade ago. Compared to some of Church’s later efforts (The Outsiders in particular), this record feels like an artist still finding his way, rounding up his numerous influences and patching them together into an 11-song package that covers a lot of ground but never truly feels like it has a clear vision.
Despite all of this Chief has its highlights. Everybody knows the lead single “Springsteen” (an ode to probably my favorite musician of all-time fwiw) and all the nostalgic buttons it pushes. But Church is at his best when he either completely dives headfirst into dirty country (“Creepin’”) or strips everything back and lets his guitar and baritone do the talking (“Like Jesus Does”, “Hungover & Hard Up”). The guitar line that accompanies “Hungover & Hard Up” is pure bliss, a walking waltzy stroll through springtime as the sunshine warms your face. It’s where Church’s vision truly comes through.
Standout Songs: “Hungover & Hard Up”, “Creepin”, “Like Jesus Does”
