Eric Church, Soul | Album Review 💿

Country standout Eric Church delivers once again on Soul, his second studio album released in 2021 following Heart.

Country music is at its best when it’s authentic and embraces cues from past, at least to some extent.  Throw in exceptional songwriting, and country music can be as elite as anything else.  One of the best contemporary country artists in the game is 🏆 Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter 🎙 Eric Church.  Mr. Church returned in a big way in 2021 releasing two nine-track albums (💿 Heart and 💿 Soul). Soul arrived a week after Heart maintaining consistency and arguably, even besting the former album.

“Rock & Roll Found Me” 

“I turned on my amps and all at once my blind could see / Yeah, when rock and roll found me.”  Now that is one hell of lyric from ✅ 🎵 “Rock & Roll Found Me,” the awesome opener from Soul.  Eric Church spends the time to say all of the things he’s done wrong but asserts that music – specifically rock – spoke to him.  His “Amazing Grace” isn’t Biblical or spiritually driven, but his experience is definitely relatable.  Making things even better, beyond the superb lyrics, Church gives a terrific vocal, has ‘lit’ production to work with (🎛 Jay Joyce), and a sweet groove.

A perfect example of the ‘soul’ on Soul is the second track, ✅ 🎵 “Look Good and You Know It.” Yes, Church keeps it country, but he doesn’t merely limit it stylistically.  The sound of the record hearkens back to both a more soulful brand of country, soul, and even some soul cues.  The harmonized background vocals, iterating the titular lyric marks one of the best moments of the song.  Dynamic, souped-up production and high-flying, assertive pipes by Church certainly don’t help this three-minutes-and-change gem. Eric continues to compel with his beautiful tone, (with some respectable twang) on the ballad 🎵 “Bright Side Girl.” Musically, I love the choice of instruments, which includes bowed strings (cello or bass) and organ alongside traditional country instrumentation.  Notably there are some truly powered moments, which sort of remind me of the ‘hair metal’ of the 80s – all within the context of country, of course.  Three tracks in, Soul is cooking!

“Break it Kind of Guy”

Among the crème de la crème of Soul is the electrifying ✅ 🎵 “Break it Kind of Guy.”  Between Heart and Soul, “Break it Kind of Guy” just might be the biggest T-R-I-P! I mean, damn, is this an infectious country joint.  Here, Church is chocked-full of attitude, showcasing immense personality.  As usual, we get that North Carolinian southern twang, but surprisingly, we also see Church dip into his falsetto (“I tell my Eagle where to fly”).  Part of the reason why “Break it Kind of Guy” is so potent is the contrasts Church brings to the table.  I mean, there’s country-funk hybrid in play here, confirmed by the riffs, groove, and the overall aesthetic and vibe.  Honestly, only Eric Church would concoct something like this, and I’m so glad he did!

Tough to follow “Break it Kind of Guy” up, that’s for sure.  Despite how tall the task is, 🎵 “Hell of a View” keeps things going strong.  If the previous track was a bit tough for tried-and-true country fans to totally wrap their ears around, this more straightforward, traditional joint should tickle their fancy.  While Church doesn’t do anything wild or crazy here, he maintains consistency through performance, songwriting, and production.  On the entertaining ✅ 🎵 “Where I Wanna Be,” Church continues to infuse soul into the mix – HALLELUJAH!  Bringing back the organ definitely provides a lift.  Also, Eric gives us colorful lyrics on the verses, ‘bringing it on home’ with one of the better choruses of Better.  Part of the success of that chorus is the playful vocal approach, including some help courtesy of backing vocals.

“Ooh, like a moth to a flame
Ooh, I hear her call my name
And I’m down, I’m game, I’m in, I’m free
Wherever she is that’s where I wanna be.”

“Jenny”

Maybe Eric had a wee bit too much fun on “Where I Wanna Be.” I mean some of those playful vocals and inflections – something else.  Perhaps he’s less ‘novel’ on 🎵 “Jenny,” but he’s definitely not boring or unoriginal here either.  Vocally, Church remains potent, with moments where he truly gives his all, singing his face off. There’s definitely a folksy, singer/songwriter vibe, which hearkens back to a different brand of country.  It’s quite refreshing.   “Jenny” is a winner, but who wouldn’t prefer a 🎵 “Bad Mother Trucker.”

“She is hell on wheels where the road meets the rubber / A real gear jammer, a white line wonder.” “Bad Mother Trucker” is country music listener’s dream, period.  Eric Church manages to blend love for his mama as well as reference trucks – pretty sweet! He continues on the chorus, “Yeah, you only get one and I wouldn’t want another / ‘Cause mama was a bad mother trucker.” Add to the equation a funked-up country backdrop, awesome lyrics, and a nother kick-ass performance by Mr. Church and “Bad Mother Trucker” is E-P-I-C.  Following the electric penultimate track, fittingly, Church slackens the pace on the narrative-driven 🎵 “Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones.”  This is an elite, singer/songwriter moment.  Furthermore, it provides contrast, finding the often-gritty Church singing much smoother.

Final Thoughts 💭

Ultimately, Soul gives Eric Church another winner. This man certainly knows how to make compelling, well-rounded albums. Like Heart before it, this nine-track, half-an-hour-long set is strong overall from start to finish. The songwriting, vocal performance, and production shine incredibly brightly.  There are no duds to be found – Eric definitely does his thing here.

✅ Gems 💎: “Rock & Roll Found Me,” “Look Good and You Know It,” “Break it Kind of Guy,” “Where I Wanna Be” & “Bad Mother Trucker”

🎙 Eric Church • 💿 Heart • 🏷 EMI Records Nashville / UMG Recordings, Inc. • 🗓 4.16.21

[📷: EMI Records Nashville / UMG Recordings, Inc.]