It’s an interesting theory, but to me (while I know his wife is blonde) he often refers to himself as a sinner or having a sinner’s heart (see, sinners like me) and it feels like an ode to his wife. Deeper meanings and relations are fun, but I don’t think there really is one in this song
19 year old here. I'm a very passionate Eric Church fan and love this latest release and I'm interested to know if there are more young Eric Church fans out there who dig this stuff like me.
Ooh yes. I’m 17 and the Heart album was 100% my favorite album in a while. It wasn’t perfect but it felt honest and just good. Idk why I like it so much but it feels so real. So yes, definitely more young Church fans out there :)
for sure I just turned 18 and love all these songs but as albums for me they aren’t as tight as Mr. Misunderstood or Desperate Man however this stuff is still awesome!
I’m 16 and am in love with him, it is so hard to compare albums cause each of them are so different but so good. Russian Roulette might be my fav church song ever.
Personally I like Eric’s country stuff a lot more. But I respect him for making music he is passionate about, and I do think these albums have their moments. Never Break Heart is my personal favorite.
THIS!!! His first 3 albums are very country IMO, outsiders is a rock album and those 4 are my favorites. I definitely agree on making music he is passionate about, while I mostly disliked the last album and these have some moments I wouldn't want any artist to make music to try and please anyone but themselves.
Honestly, I feel like this project is its own genre. Its like how Johnny Cash's late-career stuff wasn't country, rock, or whatever, it was just Johnny Cash. These albums weren't country, rock, or soul, it was just Church. And thats a good thing!
I agree, people keep telling me he's not country enough, well what is country these days anyway. I think its just good music no matter what label you try to put on it
@@trashpanda1999 100%. People saying 'Eric isnt real country' but then who wants to hear someone trying to be just like Hank, Johnny or Dolly. Someone who does it in their style is surely better.
You can never ever label eric.he sure does reinvent himself and his sound.guess thats what keeps his fans so invested we wanna see where he goes next.the ride he takes us on is always fresh and definetly not formulaic
I’d have to say I like how this new project is unexpected. It’s funky, it’s groovy, it’s a romance, it’s heartbreak, it’s a reminder of young love, it’s unconditional love, simply put we love Heart & Soul......for everyone reason and no reason at all. It just feels good and stirs our soul.
I really want to hear Soul played live in a bar. I just feel like the overall sound of the album would work so well played by a small band in front of a bunch people crammed into a hole in the wall bar
What I really loved with the Heart album is the prominence of piano in several of the songs. The opening three songs are just straight fire for me because of that
Inspired me to write tracks with slide guitar and piano again. Big Elton fan, but he definitely pulls influence from the Black Crowes along with Fogerty.
One thing I wish he would do (and I know he won't) is throw fiddle and steel back in the mix for one more project. I have always really liked Sinners Like Me and Carolina and I think another album in that style would good. Overall I like Heart & Soul and there are about 10 songs I think are really good.
I really hope he does. I personally believe that Carolina and Chief will ALWAYS be his biggest albums. His “reinvent himself” thing is cool and all but the music on those albums are just so much better
@@bearbustlelive9797 Not true at all. Eric’s songwriting has become so good since then. Don’t get me wrong, those albums are classics but the new Eric has found a deeper love of music. Like he incorporates all of his influences in his new music. I feel like it isn’t about the country style anymore for him. It’s now about his fans and his love for what he does.
Never Break Heart is the best song on Heart. It’s incredible and it gives me chills. At first I did not like the elongated ending but it grew on me, it’s almost a reflection on life, just appreciating the music without the need to say anything but “it’s okay to cry” (also, does anyone else feel like Never Break Heart is lowkey a pro-life song? Maybe it’s just me reading too much into it.) Break It Kind of Guy is the best song on Soul. HOW can anyone NOT jam out to that song??
Admittedly, I've never really thought of an album as a project. At least until I heard Soul. Those singles released beforehand didn't pull me, but as a "project", man those songs all come together, and I appreciate them so much more.
I love the experimentation! What I respect most about him is that he doesn’t fall into the typical country equation where you find the sound that works for you and repeat it endlessly for sales. His music grows with his fans and it shows. I think Heart was more of what the fans look for and what they want, especially with the reference to Springsteen in Russian Roulette. That for me was kinda tongue in cheek considering so many people say “he needs to make Chief 2.0.” Overall for me like you said it was the lyrics that stood out on this album and then the play with the melodies in there as well. Then Soul was more what he wanted to do and how he wanted to experiment instrumentally. While I fully agree it feels a little less personal lyrically I think it’s a great album in the way it was layered and it showed us a whole other side to him. My initial though when listening to this body of work was that Heart is the dessert, it’s fluffier and airy whereas Soul is the full meal. A lot heavier feeling in a way but still feels like a complete album. Loved hearing your take in this video and I absolutely love your Love Shine Down theory!
After several listens, “Where I Wanna Be” is the song I keep coming back to. By far Eric Church’s sexiest song, haha. Hearing EC murmur “Mississippi, baby” in a low, Jimmy Stewart drawl is a side we’ve definitely never seen before. Also as a geography nerd I love all the different place name references in this song, with fun phrases like “whistlin’ a Saskatoon.”
Love Shine Down is my favorite across both albums, but I think it could’ve been Crazyland or Hell of a View if not for that pre-release fatigue from them being released so far before the albums.
This review really resonated with me. But especially the Reddit comments about the songs that grow on you. For me, this has been my Eric Church story. About three quarters of all his songs for me are a "meh" on first listen, but almost 100% of those first listen "meh" songs end up becoming serious jams for entire periods of my life. The entire Desperate Man album fit that bill for me, and I feel like this project will continue the trend.
It seems to me like they were more going for individual songs instead of cohesive albums when they were writing. I think Eric said during an interview recently that he had a really hard time figuring out what all these songs meant. Regardless I’m always happy with new chief music and cannot wait to hear these songs live!!
I think that’s what it was all about for this go around. The main focus of their retreat was to just make the music right when it came to their mind instead of picking and choosing what would fit best on an album
Really glad people are connecting with Russian Roulette as much as I am! Some of my favorite tracks from this project are from ‘&,’ but I love Heart and I really appreciate what he’s doing stylistically with Soul. I think I’m at the point of realization that, most likely, no album he’ll make will top Mr. Misunderstood for me, so it makes it easier to appreciate albums like this.
I see you with that “at the buzzer” Triston Marez shoutout! I haven’t listened to this triple album yet, but it’s sounding like this is one of those albums where the artist is doing it for HIM in a big way. That doesn’t mean songs will be bad. Sometimes those albums have so many great and interesting songs on them. You’re right though; He is a break it kind of guy and this is him breaking it, to an extent. I think this is what makes Church who he is within country music.
So far, my favorites have been "Heart on Fire", "Jenny", "Stick That in Your Country Song" and "Hell of a View". Also, when I was listening to "Heart" on Amazon Music yesterday while working out, "Heart on Fire" really gave me John Mellencamp vibes, particularly his "Lonesome Jubilee" album, so great minds think alike! "Heart of the Night" does sound very Meat Loaf/Jim Steinman (the latter just passed away earlier this week), and easily could've been on one of the 2 hugely successful "Bat Out of Hell" albums that they worked together on. I'm a huge fan of both albums, so I can hear the theatrical comparisons, now that you mentioned it. It also sounds like a song from "Rent"; I know that musical was extremely popular, running for 12 years on Broadway, and a lot of the songs had a rock sound to them. I could also hear The Bee Gees on "Break It Kind of Guy".
My thoughts on the Love Shine Down/Knives of New Orleans theory: "Where are the bodies, Eric?" Bunch of Nothing makes me inexplicably happy! "...little bit of Springsteen.." "...he actually eludes to his own song Springsteen..." my mind: OH WHOA WHOAOAAAAOHHH
Great review! I like how you put it that the feeling of the music takes importance over the lyrics on these albums. These are my favorite albums from Eric since Chief and I appreciate him swinging for the fence on these. It’s gotta be difficult for artists because as soon as they hit their signature sound people want it over and over, yet artists want to experiment and grow and I really enjoy getting cds and hearing the non single tracks and the whole process. That said, hell of a view was the 1st track I heard and I was hoping for that kind of return to what I feel is his best sound. Still enjoy getting cool new unexpected melodies without memories.poking forward to what you have to say about &
I agree that Stick That has nothing to do with anything else, but I do appreciate that Eric “stuck that in his country album” I’m sorry. That was a horrible joke
Ok. Huge Eric Church fan. I feel the same overall about the albums, but songs…. Different. But we all have our own feels, right? I LOVE your reviews, and somehow I’m late to this one, obviously. My take is, it still holds that Eric Church ‘vibe’ and is still dear to my heart. I can listen to almost every album of his front to back and still feel the feels. I have to skip some of these on Heart and Soul. Bright eyed girl, agreed. Less of a favorite. But I DO love Stick That In Your Country Song. Sooo much. And Bunch Of Nothing is a JAM to me. 😍. All in all, I appreciate your in depth thoughts and agreed on most! I did get to see him live for the very first time a couple weeks ago, and he was nothing short of amazing! Even though not referenced here (&), Through My Ray Bans was amazing to me!
@@ktge5050 the mountains where he wrote this and granite falls where he was born are both already west of 85. It doesn’t matter though! I just thought it was a funny little detail
I like Eric but I feel like he is getting a bit big headed and thinks he is much more artsy than he really is. I respect trying new things but I think his more country stuff is much better than this stuff. Just my opinion.
Have to be honest, neither of these albums did a lot for me. I'll still be a Eric Church fan and keep listening to them hoping they grow on me. At the same time, there's better country music out there - including Justin Moore's new album.
I love pretty much everything on Heart, but my favorites are Russian Roulette and Crazyland. As for Soul, I really like Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones, but haven’t gotten into most of the album yet. Also, I like your shirt change 😆
I think Bad Mother Trucker was awesome. The sound is great, but I also really enjoy the character he’s playing in it and his affection towards his mother, despite his unusual upbringing.
I am a new Eric church fan. I cannot find anywhere who plays piano in his band. I am mesmerized by whoever it is. It blows me away. Is there ANYONE who can tell me anything about him? So many songs I want to see those fingers in action. Yeeeeees!!!
I think after getting teasers for a year, this album could never live up to my expectations. I agree with you on Stick That and Bad Mother. I didn’t initially love the studio recording of Heart (as a whole), as my husband said, “It sounds a little like they are trying too hard.” The songs are growing on my though. Also, the Amazon Live he did the other day with just him and his guitar was awesome, so it may be the production I don’t love more than the actual songs. 7/10 is my rating as well.
Your rating is fair, Grady. I would give the two albums a 6.5 and that is being generous. I just felt it wasn't cohesive. Also I agree go listen to Triston Marez's record.
I'm generally appreciative of his turn toward Southern rock and soulful r&b influences, but -- I agree -- I miss country Eric Church. 'Sinners Like Me' is still my favorite album of his. We know Eric is never settled in one place for long. I think he'll come back around to country. I could see a Randy Travis inspired album at some point. Who knows?
I think "Chief" was So so great that he has felt intense pressure to make a record better than that one and he has not been able to do so. And I also miss that country sound he used to have.
@@jbstrevel94 I just feel from top to bottom, plus in terms of the impact it had on the country music scene, "Chief" will never be topped. It sort of brought fans of both more traditional and more modern country sounds together. Even a few songs from his next album like "Talledega" felt to me like they belonged more on "Chief".
Great job reviewing these albums. Eric Church always has so many lyrics in his songs and it’s awesome to hear you break down those lines! Also I completely agree with your assessment on the album covers. There is a mismatch there. I will say that almost all of his album covers seem “dark” with a lot of shadows and black accents. Besides Desperate Man, all of them have that feel. Keep up the great work!
I don't think any album has to be cohesive! In fact I am glad many are not! I like the surprise of something unexpected...especially in a song! Grady is spot on with his favorite songs...many he mentioned are mine too. The greatest thing about Eric is some of his music grows on you with repeated listening! It's about the album...not a song!
Okay I just watched your review and I haven't read any of the comments. I must be missing something. I have had break it kind of guy on repeat for days and days it is the best song on all three albums. I turn it up as loud as it can go and I just jam to it! What am I missing am I alone? Soul is my favorite of the three. I love look good and you know it, and I love rock and roll found me. Those are probably my three favorites as well as hell of a view that's just an amazing song. Jenny is my least favorite song. I'm a die-hard Eric Church fan so all in all I am very pleased with these three albums! I'm just going to keep going back and forth between Morgan Wallen and Eric Church. Their music is all I need!!! Thanks Grady love watching your reviews!
I thought Elton John more than once! I also felt the Queen in the sense that he experiments so much with music vs. lyrics. He gets better with every project. Heart of the Night- love it and then Russian Roulette following right after is just an anthem feeling to me. I used to drive for hours and just listen to music to escape. That song spoke to me. He is just unmatched in the industry. & is an excellent addition- but I’m actually happy you didn’t review that for those who haven’t been able to hear it all!
I've never been a fan of Eric Church (sorry Grady!) and these albums haven't particularly changed my mind. 'Hell of a View' will be on the playlist the couple of country radio stations we have here, and usually songs grow on me the more I hear them, but that one hasn't either. I'm heavily swayed by vocals and impressed by a great singer, and I think Eric Church, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, have style but their pure vocal talent lacks in comparison to the Dan Smyers (remove the snaps), Brett Eldredge and Josh Turners of the world. Maybe it's just me, but Eric Church has been around for a while, and with 2/3 new albums, I still haven't found a song of his that makes me hit repeat.
@@zacharybarnhart334 Eric might be better than Luke, but for me they’re both still in the average tier vocally. It’s hilarious how you’re not offended by me saying Eric is vocally lacking, but only that I dared include him in the same breath as Luke Bryan. Both of them have style and lack vocals, I’m not saying their styles are the same, but everyone has a style whether you like it or not… you’re saying it’s disrespectful to Eric Church to say that Luke Bryan has a style and lacks vocals. Nope. Luke and Eric (I’m going to do it again) are in the same vocal tier, which is average.
Eric Church is a lot like Sturgill Simpson in my opinion. They both make really good music, but it is right on the border of what I like, they are very country but include a lot of classic rock. I prefer one or the other, I have never really enjoyed the both combined, but that is just me
Jenny was actually one of my favorites. Bright side girl and bad mother trucker are def duds though. Love the project as a whole. Also agree with you about the schism between marketing and album feel
I'm still processing both albums. My immediate reaction to 'Soul' was sooooooo much more "HELL, YEAH!" than 'Heart.' I absolutely love "Break It Kind of Guy" and "Where I Wanna Be." Kind of agree about "Jenny," but like "STIYCS" (except for the fact that Eric didn't write it) and "Bad Mother Trucker." Agree about both album openers setting a great tone, and that "Hell of a View" seems out of place on 'Soul.' COMPLETELY agree about 1) the endless rollout and 2) general lack of cohesiveness on double (or triple!) albums. Having said all that, it's a great project devoid of any true clunkers.
He’s still the chief but he’s lost me the most few years with the rock sounds. I want the purer country Eric back. As he said himself “would Hank do it this way?” However he’s an artist and he wants to push himself and I appreciate that.
I’ve said since the 4th single that this release was taking too long. It killed any sort of momentum. That said...there are songs on these albums that absolutely slap. Heart of the Night is a MeatLoaf banger while Crazyland offers that Kill a Word country vibe. EC has always been able to put together incredible record listening experiences (mr misunderstood is GOAT), but the albums just don’t hit as hard. The songs on their own are fun and unique, but that’s where it ends.
Totally agree about Jenny. I also feel like they should of just had this as a double album but again I guess that wouldnt of had the same marketing impact as 3 albums.
I'm absolutely obsessed with "Love Shine Down" and "Look Good and You Know It." Of course, I love all the songs (still wish I could've listened to &) but those are my top tracks from both albums. I wasn't initially a huge fan of "Break It Kind of Guy" but it's starting to grow on me
Heart is definitely my favorite over Soul, absolutely love Heart on Fire and Heart of the Night. The modulation in Heart of the Night is something I don't hear a lot, so it's always great to listen to it. Soul for me was maybe a little too chill and kinda weird while Heart I felt had a good variety of chillness, fun rowdiness, rock n roll, and more somber. I wish I could say something about & but I'm not a Church Choir member so just will have to wait and see. I feel like I really don't understand the clear message of the whole project and right now it seems more like a big collection of songs that don't really add up to any big meaning. Overall I think it's still a very good project with some amazing songs!
Yes! Because Eric did an incredible job with that song and put his own spin on it. The first time I heard Lynnard Skynnard Jones, I screamed out loud at the end when the man at the funeral revealed himself as the father and his name was Curtis Loew.
Cannot believe you went this entire review without mentioning “Look Good and You Know It.” Most unique, funky, R&B, happy song on Soul and unlike anything he’s ever done. Top-5 favorite on these 3 albums for me.
Enjoyed your review. I still haven't heard all of the songs yet but I do love all of them that I've heard so far. I am a fan of Bad Mother Trucker, but I was a truck driver for 20 years....
I'm honestly just excited you know who Meatloaf is! Whether you listen to him or not haha ! I strongly suggest Bat Out of Hell II. "Objects in the rearview mirror" is a jam. And definitely gives me Grady vibes in the story/message.
One of the main reasons i love "Stick that in your country song" is because it came out on my birthday. I turned 18 and look at spotify to see a new eric church song, one of the best runs ive gone on in my life with that song on repeat.
Very curious to know what y'all think about my Love Shine Down/Knives of New Orleans theory!
Episode 1 is lightning
Episode 2 is knives of New Orleans
Episode 3 is love shines down
It’s an interesting theory, but to me (while I know his wife is blonde) he often refers to himself as a sinner or having a sinner’s heart (see, sinners like me) and it feels like an ode to his wife. Deeper meanings and relations are fun, but I don’t think there really is one in this song
@@CyrusWaugh I’d love to agree but the dude then dies in episode 1 :( but I do see a feasible plot line somewhere
After hearing 'Knives of New Orleans' years back I thought it was the chapter before 'Lightning'
Yo Grady love your stuff man, the audio on this vid sounds a lil different to your other vids
I thought Russian Roulette was going to be a lot less serious based off the title, but oh no, that was deep. Definitely my favorite.
lol, loved how you switched from a red shirt, to a blue shirt, to a purple shirt!
Bro I’m so glad I’m not the only one that was trying to find a pattern in the bolded words. I felt like a Taylor Swift fan lol
Me too dude haha
19 year old here. I'm a very passionate Eric Church fan and love this latest release and I'm interested to know if there are more young Eric Church fans out there who dig this stuff like me.
Ooh yes. I’m 17 and the Heart album was 100% my favorite album in a while. It wasn’t perfect but it felt honest and just good. Idk why I like it so much but it feels so real. So yes, definitely more young Church fans out there :)
for sure I just turned 18 and love all these songs but as albums for me they aren’t as tight as Mr. Misunderstood or Desperate Man however this stuff is still awesome!
I’m 16 and am in love with him, it is so hard to compare albums cause each of them are so different but so good. Russian Roulette might be my fav church song ever.
Yeah man I’m 19, me and buddies love Eric down here in Texas
i’m 17, eric’s an all time fav
Loved how Grady changed shirts to match the album colors
I didn’t even put that together 😂. Just thought he filmed on a different day
😂 I noticed that too
Personally I like Eric’s country stuff a lot more. But I respect him for making music he is passionate about, and I do think these albums have their moments. Never Break Heart is my personal favorite.
THIS!!! His first 3 albums are very country IMO, outsiders is a rock album and those 4 are my favorites. I definitely agree on making music he is passionate about, while I mostly disliked the last album and these have some moments I wouldn't want any artist to make music to try and please anyone but themselves.
Honestly, I feel like this project is its own genre. Its like how Johnny Cash's late-career stuff wasn't country, rock, or whatever, it was just Johnny Cash.
These albums weren't country, rock, or soul, it was just Church. And thats a good thing!
I agree, people keep telling me he's not country enough, well what is country these days anyway. I think its just good music no matter what label you try to put on it
@@trashpanda1999 100%. People saying 'Eric isnt real country' but then who wants to hear someone trying to be just like Hank, Johnny or Dolly. Someone who does it in their style is surely better.
You can never ever label eric.he sure does reinvent himself and his sound.guess thats what keeps his fans so invested we wanna see where he goes next.the ride he takes us on is always fresh and definetly not formulaic
I’d have to say I like how this new project is unexpected. It’s funky, it’s groovy, it’s a romance, it’s heartbreak, it’s a reminder of young love, it’s unconditional love, simply put we love Heart & Soul......for everyone reason and no reason at all. It just feels good and stirs our soul.
I really want to hear Soul played live in a bar. I just feel like the overall sound of the album would work so well played by a small band in front of a bunch people crammed into a hole in the wall bar
Seriously, it has such a nice bluesy tone to it and I can totally hear the tracks live or in a bar over the stereo.
What I really loved with the Heart album is the prominence of piano in several of the songs. The opening three songs are just straight fire for me because of that
Absolutely. Absolutely man.
Inspired me to write tracks with slide guitar and piano again. Big Elton fan, but he definitely pulls influence from the Black Crowes along with Fogerty.
One thing I wish he would do (and I know he won't) is throw fiddle and steel back in the mix for one more project. I have always really liked Sinners Like Me and Carolina and I think another album in that style would good. Overall I like Heart & Soul and there are about 10 songs I think are really good.
I don’t necessarily think he won’t. You never know. I hope he does too
I really hope he does. I personally believe that Carolina and Chief will ALWAYS be his biggest albums. His “reinvent himself” thing is cool and all but the music on those albums are just so much better
@@bearbustlelive9797 Not true at all. Eric’s songwriting has become so good since then. Don’t get me wrong, those albums are classics but the new Eric has found a deeper love of music. Like he incorporates all of his influences in his new music. I feel like it isn’t about the country style anymore for him. It’s now about his fans and his love for what he does.
@@brycemcelwee7281 It's just there opinion
Break it Kind of Guy is the super standout to me. I would say I like 6 out of the 9 songs a lot on each album. Very solid.
Thank God I'm not the only one who thinks that that song is freaking amazing! I can't quit listening to it!
Never Break Heart is the best song on Heart. It’s incredible and it gives me chills. At first I did not like the elongated ending but it grew on me, it’s almost a reflection on life, just appreciating the music without the need to say anything but “it’s okay to cry” (also, does anyone else feel like Never Break Heart is lowkey a pro-life song? Maybe it’s just me reading too much into it.)
Break It Kind of Guy is the best song on Soul. HOW can anyone NOT jam out to that song??
The bolded words, the double (but soon triple) album, the alluding to his previous music..... BIG Taylor Swift vibes
What’s funny about that is when he first got big, he opened for Taylor and actually got kicked off the tour because they told him he played too long.
@@brycemcelwee7281 thought it was rascal flatts
Admittedly, I've never really thought of an album as a project. At least until I heard Soul. Those singles released beforehand didn't pull me, but as a "project", man those songs all come together, and I appreciate them so much more.
I love the experimentation! What I respect most about him is that he doesn’t fall into the typical country equation where you find the sound that works for you and repeat it endlessly for sales.
His music grows with his fans and it shows. I think Heart was more of what the fans look for and what they want, especially with the reference to Springsteen in Russian Roulette. That for me was kinda tongue in cheek considering so many people say “he needs to make Chief 2.0.” Overall for me like you said it was the lyrics that stood out on this album and then the play with the melodies in there as well.
Then Soul was more what he wanted to do and how he wanted to experiment instrumentally. While I fully agree it feels a little less personal lyrically I think it’s a great album in the way it was layered and it showed us a whole other side to him.
My initial though when listening to this body of work was that Heart is the dessert, it’s fluffier and airy whereas Soul is the full meal. A lot heavier feeling in a way but still feels like a complete album.
Loved hearing your take in this video and I absolutely love your Love Shine Down theory!
Thank you for loving my aspirations how long have you been a fan
2:32 woah woah woah we need to hear about Funk DJ dad
Hahah he talks about it a little in the vid I did with my parents!
After several listens, “Where I Wanna Be” is the song I keep coming back to. By far Eric Church’s sexiest song, haha. Hearing EC murmur “Mississippi, baby” in a low, Jimmy Stewart drawl is a side we’ve definitely never seen before. Also as a geography nerd I love all the different place name references in this song, with fun phrases like “whistlin’ a Saskatoon.”
Heart is definitely in my opinion the better out of Heart Soul.
I also hope he does release & to the public in the future
mate same profile pic (and i agree)
Hey FP its bear
@@jonathanbasham3356 Hey Bear
Fastest critic in the east (tho physical albums came early for some) :)
LOVED the shirt change !
Love Shine Down is my favorite across both albums, but I think it could’ve been Crazyland or Hell of a View if not for that pre-release fatigue from them being released so far before the albums.
The pre release fatigue is real. I hope we get none on the next album.
This review really resonated with me. But especially the Reddit comments about the songs that grow on you. For me, this has been my Eric Church story. About three quarters of all his songs for me are a "meh" on first listen, but almost 100% of those first listen "meh" songs end up becoming serious jams for entire periods of my life. The entire Desperate Man album fit that bill for me, and I feel like this project will continue the trend.
It seems to me like they were more going for individual songs instead of cohesive albums when they were writing. I think Eric said during an interview recently that he had a really hard time figuring out what all these songs meant. Regardless I’m always happy with new chief music and cannot wait to hear these songs live!!
I think that’s what it was all about for this go around. The main focus of their retreat was to just make the music right when it came to their mind instead of picking and choosing what would fit best on an album
Heart of the Night reminded me of something and I couldn’t think what it was. It is definitely Meatloaf. Thanks for connecting those dots, Grady! 😂
Great breakdown of these albums! I'm really enjoying them right now!!!
Really glad people are connecting with Russian Roulette as much as I am! Some of my favorite tracks from this project are from ‘&,’ but I love Heart and I really appreciate what he’s doing stylistically with Soul. I think I’m at the point of realization that, most likely, no album he’ll make will top Mr. Misunderstood for me, so it makes it easier to appreciate albums like this.
I see you with that “at the buzzer” Triston Marez shoutout! I haven’t listened to this triple album yet, but it’s sounding like this is one of those albums where the artist is doing it for HIM in a big way. That doesn’t mean songs will be bad. Sometimes those albums have so many great and interesting songs on them. You’re right though; He is a break it kind of guy and this is him breaking it, to an extent. I think this is what makes Church who he is within country music.
So far, my favorites have been "Heart on Fire", "Jenny", "Stick That in Your Country Song" and "Hell of a View". Also, when I was listening to "Heart" on Amazon Music yesterday while working out, "Heart on Fire" really gave me John Mellencamp vibes, particularly his "Lonesome Jubilee" album, so great minds think alike!
"Heart of the Night" does sound very Meat Loaf/Jim Steinman (the latter just passed away earlier this week), and easily could've been on one of the 2 hugely successful "Bat Out of Hell" albums that they worked together on. I'm a huge fan of both albums, so I can hear the theatrical comparisons, now that you mentioned it. It also sounds like a song from "Rent"; I know that musical was extremely popular, running for 12 years on Broadway, and a lot of the songs had a rock sound to them. I could also hear The Bee Gees on "Break It Kind of Guy".
Come on Grady!! Love most of everything you put out, but not knowing “The ballad of Curtis Loew” is strike 1 on the songs everyone should know game
I love that you changed from a red shirt to a blue shirt when you transitioned albums lol
Thank so much for your love and support towards me how long have been a fan
Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones is one of if not the most underrated song on these albums
My thoughts on the Love Shine Down/Knives of New Orleans theory: "Where are the bodies, Eric?"
Bunch of Nothing makes me inexplicably happy!
"...little bit of Springsteen.." "...he actually eludes to his own song Springsteen..." my mind: OH WHOA WHOAOAAAAOHHH
Thank you so much for your love and support towards me God bless you how long have you been a fan
Great review! I like how you put it that the feeling of the music takes importance over the lyrics on these albums. These are my favorite albums from Eric since Chief and I appreciate him swinging for the fence on these. It’s gotta be difficult for artists because as soon as they hit their signature sound people want it over and over, yet artists want to experiment and grow and I really enjoy getting cds and hearing the non single tracks and the whole process. That said, hell of a view was the 1st track I heard and I was hoping for that kind of return to what I feel is his best sound. Still enjoy getting cool new unexpected melodies without memories.poking forward to what you have to say about &
I agree that Stick That has nothing to do with anything else, but I do appreciate that Eric “stuck that in his country album”
I’m sorry. That was a horrible joke
Na it’s great
“&” has got a few really good ones “Mad Man” is damn good.
Mad Man is my favorite of the whole project
Do side is pretty damn fun too
Do you know when & will be released publicly
Bruh we wunna hear it. We does it go public?
@@phillydunlap5533 it won't. Only for fan club members and only on vinyl
I really want some seared scallops now and, yes, that Triston Merez album is bloody awesome!
I dont know the whole discography of Lynyrd Skynyrd but the Ballad of Curtis Loew is one of my favorites from them
I have listened to heart on repeat since its release.
Love all three. Love the aragment and feel of them
I see you Grady with the shirt change at the album transition 👀
Love your reviews. It always gives me new music to check out! Thank You!
Ok. Huge Eric Church fan. I feel the same overall about the albums, but songs…. Different. But we all have our own feels, right? I LOVE your reviews, and somehow I’m late to this one, obviously. My take is, it still holds that Eric Church ‘vibe’ and is still dear to my heart. I can listen to almost every album of his front to back and still feel the feels. I have to skip some of these on Heart and Soul. Bright eyed girl, agreed. Less of a favorite. But I DO love Stick That In Your Country Song. Sooo much. And Bunch Of Nothing is a JAM to me. 😍. All in all, I appreciate your in depth thoughts and agreed on most! I did get to see him live for the very first time a couple weeks ago, and he was nothing short of amazing! Even though not referenced here (&), Through My Ray Bans was amazing to me!
T-shirts match the albums. I see you Grady.
My only issue is he says “maybe west is best pick up I-85.” But I-85 is north south 😂
But 85 is west of where he is in NC so he would have to head west to pick up I-85
@@ktge5050 the mountains where he wrote this and granite falls where he was born are both already west of 85. It doesn’t matter though! I just thought it was a funny little detail
When I first heard stick that in your country song I thought that it would be the album opener and the opener to his concerts
Love the costume change from heart to soul!
I’m from muscle shoals so hearing you mention us made my day! Great review
Chord progression on “Heart On Fire” kinda reminds me of “Chicks Dig It” by Chris Cagle.
I like Eric but I feel like he is getting a bit big headed and thinks he is much more artsy than he really is. I respect trying new things but I think his more country stuff is much better than this stuff. Just my opinion.
Have to be honest, neither of these albums did a lot for me. I'll still be a Eric Church fan and keep listening to them hoping they grow on me. At the same time, there's better country music out there - including Justin Moore's new album.
I love pretty much everything on Heart, but my favorites are Russian Roulette and Crazyland. As for Soul, I really like Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones, but haven’t gotten into most of the album yet. Also, I like your shirt change 😆
I absolutely love Bunch of Nothing. In a way it's like the modern version of a Roger Miller song with zany lyrics.
I think Bad Mother Trucker was awesome. The sound is great, but I also really enjoy the character he’s playing in it and his affection towards his mother, despite his unusual upbringing.
I am a new Eric church fan. I cannot find anywhere who plays piano in his band. I am mesmerized by whoever it is. It blows me away. Is there ANYONE who can tell me anything about him? So many songs I want to see those fingers in action. Yeeeeees!!!
Found myself loving Heart but only liking select songs on Soul. Good album but just not my personal favourite
Gonna be honest, love the wardrobe change!
I think after getting teasers for a year, this album could never live up to my expectations. I agree with you on Stick That and Bad Mother. I didn’t initially love the studio recording of Heart (as a whole), as my husband said, “It sounds a little like they are trying too hard.” The songs are growing on my though. Also, the Amazon Live he did the other day with just him and his guitar was awesome, so it may be the production I don’t love more than the actual songs. 7/10 is my rating as well.
Your rating is fair, Grady. I would give the two albums a 6.5 and that is being generous. I just felt it wasn't cohesive. Also I agree go listen to Triston Marez's record.
I miss country Eric Church
I'm generally appreciative of his turn toward Southern rock and soulful r&b influences, but -- I agree -- I miss country Eric Church. 'Sinners Like Me' is still my favorite album of his. We know Eric is never settled in one place for long. I think he'll come back around to country. I could see a Randy Travis inspired album at some point. Who knows?
Yeah, but at least he's not moving towards pop.
Its not necesarily country, but it's creative and good.
I think "Chief" was So so great that he has felt intense pressure to make a record better than that one and he has not been able to do so. And I also miss that country sound he used to have.
@@MVTX personally, I think Carolina is his best record. Chief was good, but there were only a couple stand outs on there for me.
@@jbstrevel94 I just feel from top to bottom, plus in terms of the impact it had on the country music scene, "Chief" will never be topped. It sort of brought fans of both more traditional and more modern country sounds together. Even a few songs from his next album like "Talledega" felt to me like they belonged more on "Chief".
Great job reviewing these albums. Eric Church always has so many lyrics in his songs and it’s awesome to hear you break down those lines!
Also I completely agree with your assessment on the album covers. There is a mismatch there. I will say that almost all of his album covers seem “dark” with a lot of shadows and black accents. Besides Desperate Man, all of them have that feel. Keep up the great work!
I don't think any album has to be cohesive! In fact I am glad many are not! I like the surprise of something unexpected...especially in a song! Grady is spot on with his favorite songs...many he mentioned are mine too. The greatest thing about Eric is some of his music grows on you with repeated listening! It's about the album...not a song!
15:03 watch his eyes. Incredible eye roll
Russian Roulette is definitely my favorite
Edit: i forgot about Crazyland! Those two are tied.
These are my two favorites too.
Okay I just watched your review and I haven't read any of the comments. I must be missing something. I have had break it kind of guy on repeat for days and days it is the best song on all three albums. I turn it up as loud as it can go and I just jam to it! What am I missing am I alone? Soul is my favorite of the three. I love look good and you know it, and I love rock and roll found me. Those are probably my three favorites as well as hell of a view that's just an amazing song. Jenny is my least favorite song. I'm a die-hard Eric Church fan so all in all I am very pleased with these three albums! I'm just going to keep going back and forth between Morgan Wallen and Eric Church. Their music is all I need!!! Thanks Grady love watching your reviews!
YES IVE BEEN WAITING
Grady 100% bought these shirts just for this video
I thought Elton John more than once! I also felt the Queen in the sense that he experiments so much with music vs. lyrics. He gets better with every project. Heart of the Night- love it and then Russian Roulette following right after is just an anthem feeling to me. I used to drive for hours and just listen to music to escape. That song spoke to me. He is just unmatched in the industry. & is an excellent addition- but I’m actually happy you didn’t review that for those who haven’t been able to hear it all!
Thank you for your love💕 and support towards me God bless you how long have you been a fan
Heart of the night and Where I wanna be are for sure my favourites so far
“The perfect caramelization on your seared scallop” connected with zero country fans
I was trying to channel music snob energy haha
@@GradySmith haha just giving you a hard time man
Is this a sexual innuendo? 😂
I think heart is slightly better but soul is very good too. Heart on fire and hell of a view are probably my favorites
I don't think this project is perfect, but I do love every song we're given. I also thought jenny was a great song.
I always thought “Knives of New Orleans” is a prequel to the song “Lightning” from way back to Sinners like Me
I've never been a fan of Eric Church (sorry Grady!) and these albums haven't particularly changed my mind. 'Hell of a View' will be on the playlist the couple of country radio stations we have here, and usually songs grow on me the more I hear them, but that one hasn't either. I'm heavily swayed by vocals and impressed by a great singer, and I think Eric Church, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, have style but their pure vocal talent lacks in comparison to the Dan Smyers (remove the snaps), Brett Eldredge and Josh Turners of the world. Maybe it's just me, but Eric Church has been around for a while, and with 2/3 new albums, I still haven't found a song of his that makes me hit repeat.
Putting Luke Bryan and Eric Church in the same sentence vocally is extremely disrespectful to Eric
@@zacharybarnhart334 Eric might be better than Luke, but for me they’re both still in the average tier vocally. It’s hilarious how you’re not offended by me saying Eric is vocally lacking, but only that I dared include him in the same breath as Luke Bryan. Both of them have style and lack vocals, I’m not saying their styles are the same, but everyone has a style whether you like it or not… you’re saying it’s disrespectful to Eric Church to say that Luke Bryan has a style and lacks vocals. Nope. Luke and Eric (I’m going to do it again) are in the same vocal tier, which is average.
Eric Church is a lot like Sturgill Simpson in my opinion. They both make really good music, but it is right on the border of what I like, they are very country but include a lot of classic rock. I prefer one or the other, I have never really enjoyed the both combined, but that is just me
Your advanced lexicon makes your videos much more comprehensive.
Jenny was actually one of my favorites. Bright side girl and bad mother trucker are def duds though. Love the project as a whole. Also agree with you about the schism between marketing and album feel
I'm still processing both albums. My immediate reaction to 'Soul' was sooooooo much more "HELL, YEAH!" than 'Heart.' I absolutely love "Break It Kind of Guy" and "Where I Wanna Be." Kind of agree about "Jenny," but like "STIYCS" (except for the fact that Eric didn't write it) and "Bad Mother Trucker." Agree about both album openers setting a great tone, and that "Hell of a View" seems out of place on 'Soul.' COMPLETELY agree about 1) the endless rollout and 2) general lack of cohesiveness on double (or triple!) albums. Having said all that, it's a great project devoid of any true clunkers.
I love Eric church so much but I was honestly kind of disappointed with the songs, as always I loved the lyrics but it all felt a little overdone.
Hell of a view has become one of my all time favorites already
Are you gonna review Triston Marez latest album?
I love the shirt change 😂
He’s still the chief but he’s lost me the most few years with the rock sounds. I want the purer country Eric back.
As he said himself “would Hank do it this way?”
However he’s an artist and he wants to push himself and I appreciate that.
I think Heart is my favorite out of the three
I’ve said since the 4th single that this release was taking too long. It killed any sort of momentum. That said...there are songs on these albums that absolutely slap. Heart of the Night is a MeatLoaf banger while Crazyland offers that Kill a Word country vibe. EC has always been able to put together incredible record listening experiences (mr misunderstood is GOAT), but the albums just don’t hit as hard. The songs on their own are fun and unique, but that’s where it ends.
I just listened to knives in New Orleans. I agree with the theory
The shirt switch was amazing!!
Totally agree about Jenny. I also feel like they should of just had this as a double album but again I guess that wouldnt of had the same marketing impact as 3 albums.
I'm absolutely obsessed with "Love Shine Down" and "Look Good and You Know It." Of course, I love all the songs (still wish I could've listened to &) but those are my top tracks from both albums. I wasn't initially a huge fan of "Break It Kind of Guy" but it's starting to grow on me
If you ever get the chance to give “Madman” from & a quick review I’d love to hear your thoughts. It’s my favorite on the whole project
Heart is definitely my favorite over Soul, absolutely love Heart on Fire and Heart of the Night. The modulation in Heart of the Night is something I don't hear a lot, so it's always great to listen to it. Soul for me was maybe a little too chill and kinda weird while Heart I felt had a good variety of chillness, fun rowdiness, rock n roll, and more somber. I wish I could say something about & but I'm not a Church Choir member so just will have to wait and see. I feel like I really don't understand the clear message of the whole project and right now it seems more like a big collection of songs that don't really add up to any big meaning. Overall I think it's still a very good project with some amazing songs!
Grady, you HAVE to listen to Erich Church's cover of Ballad of Curtis Loew
Yes! Because Eric did an incredible job with that song and put his own spin on it. The first time I heard Lynnard Skynnard Jones, I screamed out loud at the end when the man at the funeral revealed himself as the father and his name was Curtis Loew.
Cannot believe you went this entire review without mentioning “Look Good and You Know It.” Most unique, funky, R&B, happy song on Soul and unlike anything he’s ever done. Top-5 favorite on these 3 albums for me.
Enjoyed your review. I still haven't heard all of the songs yet but I do love all of them that I've heard so far. I am a fan of Bad Mother Trucker, but I was a truck driver for 20 years....
I’m not sure that church knows this but the age of screaming in your mic is gone.
You should do a video on old folk singers like Guy Clark or Towns Van Zandt
C mon Grady listen to some Skynerd its good for ya man
I'm honestly just excited you know who Meatloaf is! Whether you listen to him or not haha ! I strongly suggest Bat Out of Hell II. "Objects in the rearview mirror" is a jam. And definitely gives me Grady vibes in the story/message.
One of the main reasons i love "Stick that in your country song" is because it came out on my birthday. I turned 18 and look at spotify to see a new eric church song, one of the best runs ive gone on in my life with that song on repeat.