Eric Church - Chief
By: Dan MacIntosh
During Eric Church’s tribute to Bruce Springsteen, on the appropriately titled “Springsteen,” the singer/songwriter muses aloud, “Funny how a melody sounds like a memory/Like a soundtrack to a July Saturday night.” However, the jury is still out on whether or not Church is building such Springsteen-like memories with his music.
Church does his best to create a Springsteen-esque character study with “Homeboy,” a song about a young man that abandons his country cultural roots for the hip-hop lifestyle. Yet the picture Church paints of the innate Southern spirit, the one this young man was born into, is by no means morally superior to the behaviors of those tough guys hanging out on the corner downing 40 oz. malt liquors. He tells this juvenile upstart that he’ll one day long to be with his “high school flame on one side/Ice cold beer on the other.” If your ultimate goal in life is to relax with a hot woman and some suds, does your clothing style and, perhaps, style of music really matter all that much? It reads more like simple prejudice against African-American culture.
Make no mistake about it; Church dearly loves his alcohol. “Drink in My Hand,” praises the supposed confidence boosting power of booze, while “Jack Daniels” frames whiskey as though it were a superhero. “Hungover & Hard Up” complains about the morning after a party, whereas “I’m Getting’ Stoned” turns to the bottle after a girl leaves him for a rock & roller.
Jesus also gets a few notable mentions during Chief. There’s “Like Jesus Does,” which stands amazed at a God-loving girl who will not give up on Church's wayward bad boy, in the same way Jesus will never leave. “Country Music Jesus” longs for a country music messiah, however, “some longhaired hippie prophet preaching from the book of Johnny Cash.” The song begins as a banjo-colored ballad, and then transforms into a Jason Aldean rocker before building into a black gospel rave-up, complete with Sunday morning gospel choir. Despite all its inspirational fervor, though, the tune never actually sounds like a country song.
Church has a distinctive voice, with more lyrical ambition than most. Nevertheless, Chief never lives up to any Springsteen-like ‘working man’s poet’ promise. Springsteen has a special ability to step outside himself and inhabit characters. Some of these lyrical studies, such as the hard luck guys that people Nebraska, are scary folks you only want to keep at album-song distance. On the other hand, the most of the subjects in Church’s songs come off a whole lot like Church. These are hard-drinking bad boys, with – mostly – hearts of gold.
With the exception of “Homeboy,” which takes a good, but not great shot at getting outside of Church’s predictable psyche, Chief is mostly a simplistic portrayal of Church, or Church-like individuals. Church should use “Homeboy” as his template and next time attempt to get inside the heads of song characters that are different from him. “Homeboy,” in fact, would have been a whole lot better if Church had tried at least a little to comprehend what might have made its main character escape his roots. Hey, small towns aren’t for everybody. Just because your cousins, father and uncles all enjoy the farmer’s life, doesn’t guarantee that that life is for you, too. Furthermore, why is Church more than okay with cranking up rock & roll electric guitars in his music, yet too ethnocentric to give hip-hop music a little lyrical respect during “Homeboy”? It makes you wonder.
Chief is good, but we all know Eric Church has the ability to do so much better.
Buy: Amazon MP3 | Amazon CD
Watch: "Homeboy" Music Video
Listen: "Homeboy"
Read: "Homeboy" Single Review
READER'S COMMENTS
Tim says:
Posted: Saturday, April 28, 2012
Springsteen is copying Keith Anderson's Everytime I hear your name. Drink in my hand copy's Neal McCoy's Wink, How 'Bout you copy's Dierks Bentley's Got Alot of leaving Left to Do... and on and on hear an Eric Church song find the copy. Nominate him for a Grammy?
Jaime says:
Posted: Tuesday, February 7, 2012
I think that Chief is one of the best albums yet by a modern country artist. Chief really reaches many styles of music and truly shows the talent of EC. I have seen him perform many times and would go back everytime he comes near. He surely does not get the recognition he deserves!! He is VERY talented and entertaining, and is much better than most of todays popular artists! I never get bored with EC!!!
Reex says:
Posted: Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Eric church actually sings country unlike Jason aldean and Jake Owen those are wannabes trying to fit into country instead of going with it church sings what he means and he writes his own music unlike most.
Noah says:
Posted: Wednesday, November 9, 2011
He writes his own songs and sings what he believes in. Give him and Justin Moore credit for sticking with country and not selling out like Jason Aldean and these other big time so called "country" artist.
Cory says:
Posted: Wednesday, September 14, 2011
I believe everyone is entitled to an opinion, but they should at least understand what they are talking about. Go listen to the album until you can understand the lyrics before you post a review. You bash pretty much every song and then have the balls to say at the end the album is good? I hope this is the last review you ever write.
Scott says:
Posted: Thursday, September 8, 2011
This cd is awesome, and thats why he is selling so many!
John says:
Posted: Monday, September 5, 2011
You obviously didn't listen to the album because you didn't even mention the first song. I actually liked this site before you started making bad reviews about Justin Moore and Eric Church. I thought this site was about real country music. Not Taylor Swift, Sugarland, Rascal Flatts, and Kenny Chesney. Eric Church writes all of his songs unlike most country singers and they are actually country. Stop drinking the haterade and give credit where its due.
Ross says:
Posted: Thursday, August 18, 2011
HAHA, this is funny. Church is writing songs about himself because that's what he knows and that's what makes good music. When you are completely involved in and know what your writing/singing. I'd consider Church a fake if he didn't write and sing about the subjects that he knows. I also no longer trust anything you say when you don't even get that I'm Getting Stoned has nothing at all to do with a "rock & roller." You're such a lyrical genius, but yet you got that out of the song... wow.
Riley says:
Posted: Thursday, August 4, 2011
Dan, Your criticism of Chief is a very narrow minded and biased review. Eric Church's style is uncompromising and unique. He doesn't sell out to the mainstream Taylor Swift and Toby Kieth styles. He sings the music that he loves, be it country or country-rock; His musical integrity and commitment to his fans and his ability to attract these fands based on his own means is what makes him a modern day legend. He does not need to pay any homage to Hip Hop because it is not a hip hop song. You've mistaken ethnocentricism for a genuine and amazing sound that Eric Church has found and hundreds of thousands have fallen in love with. You're entitled to your own opinion, but why don't you go write a review on something else like the new Elton John album and leave masterpieces like chief for more of the demographic that understands this music.
Happyhexer says:
Posted: Thursday, August 4, 2011
In defense of the reviewer: I am not a fan of Eric Church, but I'm also not hostile to him. When he sings the right song, he absolutely knocks it out of the park! I read this review & the one of Justin Moore's new CD. I do think that the reviewer overdoes it with the criticism, presumably to make his point. So I can understand the outrage of fans. (And BTW, have you noticed that people have voted with their pocketbooks & that both CDs are doing well in the marketplace?) I love "Homeboy," but when I first heard it, I thought something not dissimilar from what the reviewer thought. Why is never really getting beyond your high school years such a great thing? Then I realized that the song is talking about functional versus dysfunctional people. I'm sure that guy with the high school flame & beer in his hands is working a job and paying taxes, and not beating up people. Yes, there are exaggerated cultural stereotypes here, but they serve to make a point. All of that said, the reviewer has some good points buried amidst the negativity. Numerically speaking, many country music fans actually live in cities, and the "I'm-more-country-than-you" schtick can get old. So it can be legitimate to challenge country music stereotypes. And to me, the reviewer seems to acknowledge Eric's talent as a singer/songwriter, but is trying to challenge him to do better. He even says it in as many words: "'Chief' is good, but we all know Eric Church has the ability to do so much better." And he explains why he thinks that: he wants Eric to "step outside himself and inhabit characters." To the extent that Eric varies the characters he inhabits, he will have more universal appeal. Doesn't make the reviewer right, or wrong, but it is a legitimate perspective. For me, I'll just buy the tracks I like. But I do see Eric on an upward trajectory. And how is that a bad thing?
Ben Sterling says:
Posted: Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Dan, yet again, you've pushed me further away from reading Roughstock. The negative tone and delivery you've used while reviewing "Outlaws Like Me" and "Chief" is nauseating. "Chief" and "Outlaws" may not have the foofoo love songs that Lady Antebellum and Taylor Swift have, but they sell and they are fun to listen to. Just because an album doesn't make you question your existence or want to sit on a mountain top and ponder, you don't have to cut it down and make it sound like it's a worthless recording. Eric wanted to do something different and he did and it will sell. Get off your high horse Dan MacIntosh.
Sam says:
Posted: Saturday, July 30, 2011
Serousley is this the guy who reviewed the Justin Moore album why is this website getting guys who obviousley like pop music to review country albums it makes no sense Becuase no matter how unbiased they try to be they can't and so we get a reveiw which completely false to all loyal country fans and steers away Simone who enjoys quality country music although at this point I doubt anybody takes too much stock in these reviews anyways since they are almost always biased I bet this guy loved Katy perrys last album it got 5 stars I bet
Adam says:
Posted: Saturday, July 30, 2011
Gotta join the disagree crowd here. It's obvious that the author just looked up the lyrics online and never actually listened to the album. Church delivers big time with Chief.
Ethan Botts says:
Posted: Thursday, July 28, 2011
Dude you are an idiot. This album is filled with songs that Church spilled his soul into. He is one of the few TRUE country artist we have left and by comparing him to Jason Aldean alone Church should whoop your tail. Why don't you keep your garbage off the internet and go have butt sex with Rascal Flatts and Kenny Chesgay. Church is the only hope we have left for TRUE country music, not that gay crap Nashville is turning out now which I am sure you love you ignorant fool.
Ashley says:
Posted: Wednesday, July 27, 2011
I would just like to know where you gather "I'm Getting Stoned" is about a girl who left for a rock and roller? The "rock" he is referring to is a diamond. Try listening to what the words mean, then your opinion may have more validity.
Ryan says:
Posted: Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Eric Church is my favorite artist, country or otherwise, but I have to agree with review. Sinners Like Me and Carolina both blew me away with some of my favorite country songs ever. I really don't think a song on Chief cracks my top ten Eric Church songs. Though I will say he set the bar extremely high with his first two albums, I was at least hoping for one song on par with Sinners Like Me, Guys Like Me, Lightning, Those I've Loved, Hard on the Heart, The Hard Way, or Love Your Love the Most. I'm sure this album will grow on me but I was expecting so much more.
Calvin says:
Posted: Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Well since you thought Justin Moores album was complete garbage and I thought it was pretty good. That must mean, since you think Chief is "good" it must be great! I'll pick it up right now.
Riah says:
Posted: Tuesday, July 26, 2011
So I went out and got my copy of Chief today and I have to completely disagree with this review as well. I am another rabid EC fan, and loved this album. I will say it could have been better. A few too many drinking songs & not anything really standout to me like "Those I've Loved" from Carolina. I STRONGLY disagree with the comment that EC is being racist in the song "Homeboy" as the person described in the song is the way most of my peers are today regardless of their race. Oh, and I disagree with Heath who suggested that Justin Moore is a wannabe. He writes loads of his own music. He's great. Just because his most recent hit was written by Rhett Akins doesn't mean he doesn't write any of his own stuff. Anyways, love me some Eric Church & cannot wait to see him later this summer!
Hilary says:
Posted: Tuesday, July 26, 2011
I'm just another person completely disagreeing with this review, but I just have to get my opinion out there! I've only been listening to this album for an hour and songs are already hitting me so hard! "Springsteen" brought me right back to my senior year summer, and "Hungover and Hard-Up" to a bad break up. I don't understand where Dan gets off saying that this album is racist! Eric is one of the best and truest artists country music has seen in years.
Gordon says:
Posted: Monday, July 25, 2011
Eric Church is the Country Music Jesus! I hate this review and I don't think Dan truly understands what Eric Church's music is really about. He writes all of his own his songs for the most part which is way more then you can say about many other "country" artists. If you have ever been to an Eric Church concert you would realize that he has an extremely faithful gathering and his fans know every word in everyone of his songs and to write negatively about him is pretty risky move. So Dan "Keep On" writing these awful reviews and we shall see how the Church faithful responds because he writes about "Guys Like Me" and thats why we love his music. My only complaint is that it only has 11 songs. I could always use more EC
ERIC RULES says:
Posted: Monday, July 25, 2011
DISAGREEEE THIS PERSON DOESNT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT MUSIC
Dan (not the writer!) says:
Posted: Monday, July 25, 2011
I am joining the disagree crown here. I think it makes a great artist to write and play his own songs about his life. Almost all country artists these days will play a song just because it could be a hit, with no real connection to it. We learn about the guy singing when Eric plays. And I think that comes through in his music. He has more of a passion because he is talking about what he loves and does. In response to Heath though, you can't put Justin Moore and Jason Aldean in the same category. Justin Moore writes almost off of his own songs where as Jason Aldean does not. I have to give credit where credit is due. Justin Moore is another phenomenal up coming artist.
Marty says:
Posted: Monday, July 25, 2011
I agree to a certain point. The music on this CD is really good. I enjoyed all of it. But deep down inside, you KNOW Church is better then that. Although the album is good, there's not a standout like "These Boots", "Where She Told Me To Go", or "Those I Loved" on albums previous. I'm both happy and a little sad. Happy, for Eric Church releasing new music (Had to wait 3, then 2 years for Carolina and Chief respectively). Sad, because this album doesn't feel like it's enough.
PattiT says:
Posted: Monday, July 25, 2011
Another person disagreeing *COMPLETELY* with this review. I will say - that Eric's music has been the sound track to my life the last 5 years....and *gasp* my kids too! I'm not a drinker (obviously my kids aren't). But his music is just so much *FUN*. :D Isn't that what music should be about? And really - listen to the lyrics.....they are outstanding. Anyway just putting in my 2 cents
Alea says:
Posted: Monday, July 25, 2011
I disagree with this review, but it is just one man's opinion. This world would be boring if we all liked the same thing. I will say though that there is no jury out if Eric is making Springsteen-like memories with his music - because HE HAS - I've seen his music be the soundtrack to a lot of lives in the past few years and his fans are growing in number at a rapid rate. I also don't think "Homeboy" trashes the African-American culture - I just see it symbolizing more of today's youth as a whole because I have seen people of ALL races dressed with their low pants, etc. It seems racist to me to say Eric was targeting one specific race unless that's how you see the group yourself. I love "Chief" and Eric Church!!
Caroline says:
Posted: Monday, July 25, 2011
Sorry, don't agree with you, Dan. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, yours just happens to be wrong. *grin* Love CHIEF and have had it on repeat since I acquired my copy. Again, LOVE LOVE LOVE "CHIEF"!
Heath says:
Posted: Monday, July 25, 2011
I too am also offended by this review. Like John said, go play in a fire. There is some quality to writing your own music. Eric Church does this. Justin Moore, Jason Aldean, and the other wannabes do not. You can feel Eric's music and can see it is real cause it is coming straight from him. I bet you like Rascal Flatts.
John says:
Posted: Monday, July 25, 2011
Dan, you're completely wrong and should go play in traffic. Eric Church is the best artis in country music and your review couldn't be farther from the truth. I guess you can't handle real music so go listen to the Band Perry, Rascal Flatts, Jarraod Neimann and all the other worthless "country" artists out there whose music sucks. Long live Eric Church and the Church Choir. I suggest you think twice before you call Church simple again.
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