Chief

Eric Church | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 26, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B004ZBIJE4
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (66 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #221 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #19 in Music > Rock > Country Rock
  • #28 in Music > Country > Today's Country

Editorial Reviews

To some modern country artists, the words critics are using to describe Eric Church's third studio album may seem off-putting, but to the trailblazing mutineer and his equally passionate fans, the terms: "strange," "aggressive," "wild," and "rare," couldn't be more complimentary. Church's third studio album, Chief, has been buzzing as the most experiential, head-turning country album of the year.

"I have a theory that all of us [artists] only get a small window of time to make records when people will really listen and care," said Church. "It's up to us to move the needle. People like Waylon and Cash or Garth and Strait,-- they all took the format and said, We're going over here,' and they each changed the direction of the music a little bit-- helping to make it what it is today."

That desire to move the needle is the very reason Church has chosen to use the successes of six Top 20 country singles ("How Bout You," "Two Pink Lines," and "Guys Like Me" from his 2006 critically-acclaimed debut, Sinners Like Me; "Love Your Love The Most," "Hell On The Heart," and "Smoke A Little Smoke" from his sophomore release Carolina) and an ACM Award for New Solo Vocalist of the Year to push the creative envelope even further with Chief. Church took a month off and went to a secluded cabin in North Carolina to reflect and write the entire album which he later recorded in Nashville with producer, Jay Joyce (Patty Griffin, Cage the Elephant), who also produced his previous two releases.

The songs that resulted from the diversion illustrate Church's impressive range and infinite creative canvas. Songs like "Drink in My Hand" and "Hungover & Hard Up," illustrate his ability to connect with a rowdy audience. Other songs like "Springsteen" and "Like Jesus Does," reveal a deeper emotions complemented by sophisticated song structures; and then there's "Homeboy" the provocative lead single and Church's fastest-rising career single to date-- that's already turning heads and causing critics from USA Today and Billboard to champion the release.

The "alive and breathing" feel of the new music inspired Church to name the album, Chief, after a nickname given to his grandfather, and one he has consequently adopted over the years out on the road. "When it's show time, I put on the sunglasses and the hat, and that's how people know it's game time. This album was made from a live place; we recorded it with the live show in mind, so it just seemed right to make that the title," he adds.

With the release of his third studio album, Church hasn't forgotten the true captains of his career his loyal fans. "More than anyone else, we have built are career on the backs of the fans," he says. "We have not had a lot of TV exposure or number one songs, but we have had music that stirs passion, we put on shows that stoke the flames of that passion, and our fans have carried the torch. Our music belongs to them."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect country album!, July 26, 2011

By 

Polar Bear - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Chief (Audio CD)

"Chief" is Eric Church's 3rd studio album and picks up right where he left off with 2009's "Carolina." Church is the master at writing country music that rocks, and his music is the epitome of what every country singer should strive for: great songs, good musicianship, and great lyrics that make you want to sing and dance, have fun, or lament over a broken heart. "Creepin'" is the album's first track and is aptly named. It starts off from a seemingly far away distance and then creeps into a honky-tonk roar. The arrangement and delivery of the song are as unique as it is fun. "Drink In My Hand" can easily become an anthem for any guy looking for a fun night out on the town. "Keep On" features some rock and roll guitar licks that will raise the hairs on the back on your neck. "Homeboy" is the first single from the album and tells the story of someone pleading with his brother to turn away from trouble and get his life back on track. The lyrics are deep and meaningful as well as catchy and melodic. "Springsteen" amazingly captures the sound of the person it's named after without coming off as a rip off of The Boss' sound. What sets Church apart from other country singers is his not only his voice, but his passion and delivery. This man sings with passion and you can FEEL it. If you're a fan of this genre of music and haven't listened to Eric Church then you're missing something! Highly recommended!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much Better Than Expected!, August 24, 2011

By 

Austin Dalyai "ATD" (Utah) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chief (Audio CD)

Eric Church has never been shy about breaking the boundaries of country music. He doesn't mind a few odd eclectic instruments, and a really loud guitar. This release shifts him into a whole new gear. This CD is loud, rocking, and very personal. I dont know what I was expecting with this album, but I was apprehensive in light of the interviews Eric did before it's release. He said he was going to shake things up, and really change the style he and his fans were used to. Well, I cant say he was wrong, but if you know Eric's previous releases, you really shouldn't expect anything less than what you get here. The album is a step above the others, but it's without a doubt, 100% Eric Church.
From the down-tuned but hard rockin' album opener, Creepin', to the limit pushing radio single Homeboy, and everything in between, Eric shows us that he can be a rock-star and a pure, down home Country singer at the same time. Falshes of Kid Rock and Bruce Springsteen, along with influences of Hank Jr. and George Strait. A perfect mix of loud guitars, deep, dark vocals, and bar-room burners. This album will turn off a lot of neo-traditional country fans, but even as a Strait, Jackson, and LeDoux fan, I'm open minded, and that's what it takes to fall in love with this album. The best Eric Church has offered, and one of the best albums of 2011 so far.

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars "I'm a long gone Waylon song on vinyl.", July 26, 2011

By 

DanD - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Chief [+Digital Booklet] (MP3 Download)

Since his debut SINNERS LIKE ME, Eric Church has been a fresh breath of smoke-and-booze-filled air on the country music scene. He's unafraid to go places other mainstream singers won't. Perhaps his greatest talent has been to place new, honest emphasis on country music cliches: drinking, NASCAR, Jesus, fishing, true love, heartache, and country music itself.

His fourth album (counting the CALDWELL COUNTY EP, which if you haven't listened to, you should), CHIEF is probably Church's weakest effort to date. That's not saying it isn't worth your time--note the three stars. The problem is, Church doesn't juggle the cliches quite as well as he has in the past. Some of the songs on here are almost painful to listen to: "Like Jesus Does" (the one song he didn't co-write) doesn't even belong here--it's the sole love ballad on the album. "Country Music Jesus" is territory Church has already covered with more passion and anger ("Lotta Boot Left To Fill"). "Drink In My Hand" and "Keep On" are by-the-numbers drinking songs: catchy melodies, relatable lyrics, nothing at all original or noteworthy (except for Church's vocals, which as always are exceptional). Even the debut single, "Homeboy," is either a redneck anthem or a borderline racist diatribe, depending on how you look at it (I'm leaning towards the former).

Yet, through it all, Church remains likeable and listenable. His songs don't sound quite like the others they're imitating. And by the album's halfway point, he's hitting his stride: "Hungover and Hard Up" is hangover poetry; "Jack Daniels" is a humorous morning-after song; "Springsteen," the album's highlight, is an ode to lost innocence. These songs in particular showcase the talent that lies at the core of Church's music. Otherwise, what we have are a bunch of songs that offer little new to the music scene (remember how groundbreaking SINNERS LIKE ME sounded?), and pale in comparison to Church's previous efforts. However, the intensity with which he sings, and the honesty with which he writes, are enough to make you want to come back for more. It's kind of sad to hear the man who wrote the beautiful "Lightning" reduced to such pathetic puns as "She's got a rock/I'm gettin' stoned," but at least he sings it with genuine enthusiasm. CHIEF isn't Eric Church's best, but it's still better than most of your other options out there.