Eric Church’s Letter to his Fans & the Surprise Album “Mr. Misunderstood”
What already promised to be an eventful day in the realm of country music with the airing of the 49th Annual CMA Awards and all the parallel pomp and circumstance that entails, turned even more eventful when one of the Entertainer of the Year nominees dropped a surprise album in the mail to his thousands of fan club members Wednesday (11-5).
Called Mr. Misunderstood, the album was a true surprise, including to many at Eric Church’s label. Tens of thousands of the LP’s were shipped for free, which likely made label managers flip out because of the loss of scans, and leaked versions of the album almost immediately began showing up on YouTube while media outlets scrambled to tell the story.
Eric Church performed the title track on the CMA’s, and at about the time the CMA’s were kicking off, the album was made available to the masses.
Say what you will about Eric Church, (and certainly I’ve said my fair share), this was a pretty cool move by Church to show loyalty to the fans who have been loyal to him. He also has released a letter to his fans.
Saving Country Music will have a review for the album soon.
Purchase Eric Church’s Mr. Misunderstood
Track Listing:
1. “Mr. Misunderstood”
2. “Mistress Named Music”
3. “Chattanooga Lucy”
4. “Mixed Drinks About Feelings”
5. “Knives of New Orleans”
6. “Round Here Buzz”
7. “Kill a Word”
8. “Holdin’ My Own”
9. “Record Year”
10. “Three Year Old”
Jake
November 5, 2015 @ 1:16 am
Surprise! Whoa, an advertisement and link for the surprise album (available on iTunes) on the front page of SCM along with the announcement?! Way to play along Trigger!
Trigger
November 5, 2015 @ 1:53 am
Look, I’m only going to explain this once. Every major country music website has run a story on Eric Church’s surprise album. Saving Country Music was the last. If you go to the comments sections of both my articles on the CMA Awards, they are filled with people talking about this record, when they should be talking about it here. So it’s a news story. I also posted an article yesterday about Hellbound Glory’s Exacavators album. I included a link to purchase it. I do this all the time. I’ll have a review for this album as soon as I get a chance to really listen to it, and we’ll see how well I play along. Maybe I’ll love it, maybe I’ll hate it. I haven’t heard it yet, so I just don’t know.
There’s about a dozen independent labels who I’ve spilled tons of ink for over the years, who have never spent a dime advertising on Saving Country Music, and would never spend a dime here even if I asked, and even if this site was in jeopardy of shutting down, and even while they advertise with sites and periodicals who do not talk about their artist as frequently or staunchly as I do. Yet Eric Church, after all the vitriol I’ve spewed in his direction, decided he wanted to support Saving Country Music. Seems insulting on my part if I told him no.
Eric
November 5, 2015 @ 2:36 am
After Eric Church namedropped Ray Wylie Hubbard in the CMAs, I remembered the “Country Music Jesus” thing from a few years ago and figured that he still reads SCM on a regular basis.
Your comment confirms my suspicions.
The Ghost of Buckshot Jones
November 5, 2015 @ 7:45 am
Dude. It’s a story on a relevant release, and it’s an Amazon affiliate link. Blogs don’t pay for themselves. Might as well get a tiny cut of something.
Heyday
November 5, 2015 @ 3:19 am
No fan of Church but, yeah, in this instance he gets props for dancing with who brung ‘im…..
And, seriously, anybody who has read this blog for more than a day or two knows Trigger can’t be bought. I’m sure plenty have tried, but one of the reasons we check the site a couple of times a day is because we know he’ll give it to us straight.
Big Cat
November 5, 2015 @ 4:45 am
Jeez…. He’s covering a relevant country music story. It’s why I look at this site daily. Trig ain’t selling shit, especially for Eric Church. I thought this was a cool move by Church though.
Richk
November 5, 2015 @ 6:52 am
SCM deserves to have ads plastered all over it and money flowing to Trig. It’s a passion, obviously, but it’s also a publishing operation. You don’t pick and choose ads because you like them — you run them to make money. Let the man eat — and eat well if the stars line up that way. He deserves any success that comes his way.
Mike
November 5, 2015 @ 3:05 am
I used to be a huge fan of Eric Church but as I discovered other artists through this site and saw how arrogant he can act I’ve become a lesser fan of his than previously. But two things that still make me respect him are first, his dedication to his fan base which I feel goes beyond what can be attributed to just typical marketing schemes. And second, his support to other artists that aren’t as well known and aren’t simply the next up and coming music row artist.
This may not be the greatest album ever and may pale in comparison to the works of artists like Chris Stapleton and Sturgill Simpson but I think this album is actually very important. While all the biggest mainstream names in county music (including ZBB who we used to be able to count on for straight forward instrumental music) are chasing this EDM trend and doing crazy sonic things which result in songs that can’t even be remotely recognized as country, Eric Church released an album that goes in the opposite direction of The Outsiders and gives us an album that in comparison is significantly less produced, has stronger country ties, and is much more sonically cohesive. Again I’m not saying this is a perfect album or even a great album and I would almost definitely classify this as a rock album but I still think this a positive statement made by a headlining mainstream country artist at a very critical time in country music.
Big Cat
November 5, 2015 @ 4:41 am
Well said Mike. I agree with your take.
Brett
November 5, 2015 @ 6:07 am
Good take, Mike. I’m pretty much right in line with you. I do own each of Eric Church’s albums. I’ll be buying this, and the fact that I can use the link and support SCM is a cool thing.
Church says some stupid things. I thought The Outsiders was a hot sonic mess. But when we’re looking at the crushing blandness (in both music and personality) of most of Music Row’s artists, I’m glad someone is being at least halfway interesting, and supporting other interesting artists.
Kevin
November 5, 2015 @ 3:53 am
I damn near died when I saw the advertisement. “The next album you’ll hate”.
Anyway, this is one of the biggest reasons I like Eric church. His dedication to his fans is unrivaled.
Kev
November 5, 2015 @ 7:48 am
Not a big fan myself (I don’t think he’s released anything as good as his first album) but I do think the “Next album you’ll hate” is a great line!
Kevin
November 5, 2015 @ 8:17 am
The best part is that I think this is an album that trigger will like, but I’ve been wrong before
RD
November 5, 2015 @ 5:20 am
I can’t believe I’m admitting this, but here it goes: I don’t hate every single note that Eric Church has ever played. He writes incredibly shitty songs and most of the music is unbearable, but at certain points in one or two of his songs, for very brief moments, the music doesn’t make me want to eat lead.
lisa
November 5, 2015 @ 5:46 am
I am NOT unbiased, I am a huge Eric Church fan. I know he’s not a favorite on this site – but I was pretty disappointed Luke Bryan won EOTY over him last night, because of things like this. I hate being one of those people like “ohhh, my favorite should have won, hes the best!” – I’m seeing enough of that today with teenyboppers outraged Sam Hunt didn’t win over Chris Stapleton today! But Eric Church really seems to want to connect with his fans – doing things like this album, fighting back against scalpers so real fans can get into his shows without paying an arm and a leg, playing that acoustic show by himself when his band and crew got sick (and coming back to do a full second show!) and more. His music is, for the most part, relatable – its not the same song over and over about trucks and moonlight and daisy dukes. I haven’t listened to this album yet – I did get the fan club email yesterday but haven’t downloaded it yet – but I’m pretty excited to give it a listen! For all the hype about Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, FGL – and how huge their fan bases are – it kind of surprises me. They have SO many fans, but you never see them doing anything like this for them, or really trying to keep people on their toes, or really stepping outside the box.
Charlie
November 5, 2015 @ 8:43 am
My favorite part of Eric in concert is how passionate his fan base is- the loudest ones that get people going the most have usually been songs not on radio.
If you dig a little deeper and research it the scalping thing is sort of a farce. Just like streaming music sights and the artists bashing them. There’s a very small percentage of tickets that actually go to fans. Most are held back from the venue, label or other things. We all hate scalping but usually were going after the wrong people. Artists/writers get screwed on streaming and yell at the sights for not paying a living wage and look good to fans. When in reality labels get 76% of the streaming royalties, artists 17%, and and the writers only 7%. Few articles showed Taylor swift losing about $84,000 a week in royalties alone after she pulled out.
Just a little rant. Not that my facts may be perfect but there’s more to the story than appears on them fronts.
Matt
November 5, 2015 @ 6:00 am
Eric Church isn’t God’s gift to country music that’s not what I’m trying to say, but you have to at least respect what he’s trying to do. I’ll admit I like a few of his songs even, to me he’s not the problem.
Logan
November 5, 2015 @ 6:22 am
Fantastic move by Church. Not all likes his music, but his work ethic and dedication to fans is almost unrivaled. What a day in Country.. Really.. If you think about it. We had Chris Stapleton win THREE awards at the CMA’s at the same time as Church flipped off some labels. I love it.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 5, 2015 @ 6:30 am
What a cool story about his guitars. I refer to my instruments in a way that describes where they came from.
“The antique”
“The Czech”
“The rental”
“The bowl”
ETC
Harrison
November 5, 2015 @ 6:36 am
I have to agree with all of you guys on this one. It’s not the most country album, but it’s a GOOD album. It’s creative with an identity, and it flows unlike the outsiders, and the songs are beautiful for the most part.
Mr. Misunderstood is probably one of the most heartfelt songs ive ever heard from church (up there with sinners like me).
I’m also from just north of New Orleans, I live on lake Pontchartrain and frequently go down to the French quarter, so knives of New Orleans is so interesting to me.
Keep rocking Eric, you may not be our country music Jesus, but you’re you and you’re staying that way.
Kale
November 5, 2015 @ 6:40 am
Yeah, Eric is definitely a cut above the rest of the pop country pussies. I’m sure some people will try to say this is him and Borchetta playing everybody, but I doubt that. If anything, Music Row hates Eric’s guts right now. Some things Eric says and does really bug me, and I was mad at him for a while, but I’m over it. Unlike Jason and Luke, Eric is a true artist. He doesn’t chase trends that he knows are stupid. He’ll make whatever music he wants. He tried something different with Outsiders because he wanted to. Now, he’s releasing a more country oriented album because he knows that’s what a lot of fans want. I think after initially making fun of Trigger through Country Music Jesus, he eventually saw that country had gotten so bad it really does need saved, and he’s gonna do his part to help out. He’s certainly not scoring #1 hits this way, and he certainly isn’t chummy with the labels and other pop country artists these days, so he’s not doing this for his own benefit. He’s not bending over for his bosses, he’s doing what he wants and what he knows is right. Asshole or not, he’s got more integrity than all the bros combined.
Houston Erwin
November 5, 2015 @ 7:17 am
He is not a Big Machine artist.
Kale
November 5, 2015 @ 8:30 am
My mistake, I thought he was. Other labels play by the same rules though.
Kingpete
November 5, 2015 @ 7:00 am
Where are all the Michio Kaku haters??
Craig
November 5, 2015 @ 7:11 am
I want to like Eric Church. I really do. And I liked The Outsiders. It was overall an interesting album with a lot of odd influences. From Mastadon to The Band to Springsteen. Maybe even a country influence somewhere. But what always turns me off is how studied and planned his whole shtick is. It’s planned well, and done well, but it’s still a character. And yeah Chris Stapleton is a character, but he’s a character that developed naturally over his lifetime. Eric Church is that average kid with the OK parents who wants so bad to be the kid smoking pot leaning against the fence with the crap stepdad who wears his attitude because it’s a life or death thing. So you can dress like that kid and act like that kid but you’re always just pretending. Unless you’re covering up a drug problem, you’re a wannabe douche if you wear sunglasses on stage. And EC is way too calculating and professional to have a drug problem. And ‘Mr. Misunderstood’? Right. That’s the guy he always wanted to be. The problem is that we understand him too well. But really, congrats on a successful, real world application of that marketing degree. You’re a marketing badass, that’s for sure.
RD
November 5, 2015 @ 7:37 am
What is that song he has that sounds like The Band? I caught a minute of it on the radio once and thought “who is this? It sounds like The Band.” That is what inspired my above comment, because everything else I’ve heard from him was awful.
Evan
November 5, 2015 @ 8:08 am
He wears the glasses because stage lights hurt his eyes due to the heat on his contact lenses. He’s said that before, and as someone who also wears contacts I find it completely understandable.
Adrian
November 6, 2015 @ 2:16 am
Nope. He said himself his band started calling him Chief after he started doing the sunglasses thing. He’s not as important as he thinks he is.
Stephanie
November 5, 2015 @ 8:19 am
Bravo.
I have decided to give Eric Church’s music another honest shot. But GOOD GOD he makes it hard.
Kevin
November 5, 2015 @ 8:37 am
It’s a well known fact that Eric church wears sunglasses on stage because the lights dry out his contacts. He doesn’t do it to look like a douche.
And whether or not he’s calculating, his fans love paying $80 to stand in the pit while others are charging $150
We love that he makes those tickets paperless to keep the scalpers at bay
We also love getting free albums in the mail out of nowhere.
Tori
November 5, 2015 @ 9:48 am
He is actually like Garth in trying to stop scalpers. I know that his last show in Phoenix, the tickets literally could not be resold/transferred after they were purchased. They could not be transferred to a new name. My friend bought tickets and they ended up with a wedding to go to on the same date. She tried EVERYTHING to transfer the tickets to another person, who she was selling them to at face value, and she could not do it. Her tickets were $80 a piece and they were good seats.
I respect that too.
I LOVE his older stuff, newer stuff it hit or miss, but I did give this a listen last night and I think it is closer to the good stuff than not. I do like Eric. Is her perfect…not by a long shot. But he is NOT bro country. Same reason I don’t hate Kenny. Their music may not always be straight up country, but it is not bro country and they are NOT expecting it to be recognized for awards. My perception is that they does what they love and what makes them feel good and they does not care about recognition. If fans like it – great, if they don’t, then that is okay too.
Kevin
November 5, 2015 @ 10:51 am
Agreed. His last album was “meh” to me, but still good in comparison to most mainstream stuff. This album, however, reflects a jump back to the style of his older stuff (Sinners/Carolina), rather than his hard hitting later albums.
Therefore, it is time to update my list:
5. The Outsiders
4. Carolina
3. Sinners Like Me
2. Mr. Misunderstood
1. Chief
So close that I can interchange any of the top four at any time.
Spoony
November 5, 2015 @ 11:37 am
Maybe he should see his eye doctor? That sounds like complete BS, really. It’s really an image thing, and that’s fine. I’m a fan of Chief, not the last album.
Kevin
November 5, 2015 @ 12:10 pm
Read Evan’s comment.
If you want to argue that it became an image thing, I’m right there with you, but why change something that the fans are on board with? It’s like criticizing Hank, Jr. For wearing the hat and sunglasses following his accident. It started as a way to hide his scars, but became his look
Also, he didn’t have to mention the eye thing, seeing how none of his fans were complaining about it. The only people asking questions were his detractors
RD
November 5, 2015 @ 12:14 pm
Kevin’s Eric Church Worship = Eric’s Taylor Swift Worship
Adrian
November 6, 2015 @ 2:18 am
Exactly. It’s all an image thing.
Craig
November 6, 2015 @ 4:21 am
So I guess flash bulbs dry out his contacts too? Because every time he’s doing a publicity shot he’s wearing the aviators.
Kevin
November 6, 2015 @ 6:30 am
Most of the answers to the questions people ask can be found by reading the comments:
I quote, “If you want to argue that it became an image thing, I”™m right there with you, but why change something that the fans are on board with? It”™s like criticizing Hank, Jr. For wearing the hat and sunglasses following his accident. It started as a way to hide his scars, but became his look”
Also, didn’t Waylon Jennings start off all clean cut? ( That’s a rhetorical question)
Trigger
November 6, 2015 @ 8:43 am
Not to argue against your point, but everyone was clean cut in the early 60’s. The Beatles in 1964 with their mop tops were considered radical.
NCW
November 5, 2015 @ 7:16 am
I know we’ve talked a lot over the past 8 months about bro-country dying or being dead and then it rears it’s evil head kinda like the bad guy that won’t die in that scary movie, but I think yesterday it officially died. Very interested to see what the next six months bring. There are some very uncomfortable douche bags out there ( I’m looking at you Cole Swindell).
Jordan
November 5, 2015 @ 7:29 am
From what I’ve heard on the album, it’s hands down my favourite work he’s done aside from a couple songs
Kross
November 5, 2015 @ 7:34 am
He name dropped Jeff Tweedy…..does that mean anything?
RD
November 5, 2015 @ 7:42 am
The further he (Tweedy) has gotten from his country influences, the worse his music has become. Being There was Wilco’s peak. Also, when they fired Jay Bennet, they lost the guy who, although he may have been a pain in the ass (the documentary sure made him look like one) had the true musical talent. He could play any instrument well and cared a great deal about the recording process. Tweedy is now just a whiny hipster poseur who spends most of his time deep-throating whatever silly progressive causes come into his pill-addled mind…
The Ghost of Buckshot Jones
November 5, 2015 @ 7:47 am
Gawd, A-men.
I always took the Farrar side on the Uncle Tupelo split, but I enjoyed AM and Being there. The rest of their stuff though, yea, artsy for art’s sake doesn’t make a good album.
Kross
November 5, 2015 @ 7:56 am
yeah, Wilco lost me after Summerteeth, but those early albums, and Uncle Tupelo, is some of the best alt-country music to come out of the 90’s. The fact that Church name dropped him, almost makes him seem credible.
SteveG
November 5, 2015 @ 8:00 am
I think Mr. Misunderstood is incredibly derivative of “So Misunderstood,” perhaps intentionally. The name-drop of Tweedy only furthers my suspicions.
SteveG
November 5, 2015 @ 8:02 am
The title track of this album, that is. The refrain even has a similar melody as Wilco’s “So Misunderstood!” It’s gotta be intentional.
The Ghost of Buckshot Jones
November 5, 2015 @ 8:12 am
Wow, I was so distracted by the fact that he looked like a bad George Michael impersonator in a pride parade last night that I didn’t even notice that. It really is the same melody.
Kevin
November 5, 2015 @ 8:45 am
He’s also name dropped Chris Thile early in his career (“livin part of life”) and has invited Chris Stapleton, Robert earl keen, Dwight yoakam, JD McPherson, The Lone Bellow, and many other great artists on the road with him. He’s not an idiot when it comes to good music. He probably listens to all the same things the commenters here listen to.
Derek E. Sullivan
November 5, 2015 @ 7:51 am
Just amazing.
I want to add that I love that there are only 10 songs. Every album that I have got with 15-16 songs (looking at you Lambert) always seems to have 4 or 5 throwaways.
Tori
November 5, 2015 @ 9:49 am
I remember that almost all of Garth’s early albums only had 10. I always wondered if there was a methods to that madness…there usually is with him.
Charlie
November 5, 2015 @ 6:23 pm
He stated it in a book I read called the Garth factor by patsy bale cox. One of the two I’ve read about him. No reason why the 10 songs were on there but the last song was always his favorite. On that front of his album he believed the importance of each song in order. Early on debuts and stuff he thought and would perform them. If he did a concert he thought he should be able to perform them in order from 1-10 and have a perfect flow.
The Senator
November 5, 2015 @ 8:25 am
Heck of an announcement from Church, and gotta love that ad on the side. Between this news and the Stapleton Sweep of last night, I’m rather pleased with the country music world for a change. Good stuff.
CountryKnight
November 5, 2015 @ 8:25 am
I knew I should have joined Eric Church’s fan club.
Brian
November 5, 2015 @ 8:41 am
I think it is a little unfair how a lot of people tend to make a judgment on what they think Erich Church is like a lot of times. There are a lot of different things that shape us or make someone the person they become. There is no bigger Chris Stapleton fan them I am, but I don’t know exactly what his life was like or if what I see now is what he decided he wanted to become. He grew up and had two working parents and even went to Vanderbilt University for a semester, which is an elite University and was majoring in engineering before he decided college wasn’t for him. Maybe Eric Church is playing a made up character, but we can’t really say that for sure. I just got back from NC for 6 months and was working in the office with a guy who went to high school with Zac Brown and the first thing he said was “he was an odd guy in school”. Talked about how he just kind of stuck to himself and didn’t talk a lot. Its not Eric Church came from millionaire parents ad dropped into Nashville and got a record deal on his first day, from everything you read, he paid his dues and put in the time. I could also argue that every artist tries to be stylish to some extent with things they wear and stuff. Hell some of the most respected artists here in the Texas scene where stuff on stage at times, that you can just tell they are trying to be cool, which is basically the equivalent of what Eric Church is doing with the sunglasses, but we tend to call him out, because we don’t like him as well.
Stephanie
November 5, 2015 @ 12:00 pm
I think it’s because eric Church has made so many insufferable comments that it is really hard to give him the benefit of the doubt. He invented beer and truck songs. He’s so intimidating to everyone that he can just feel it. He’s so authentic (if you have to tell people that all the time, you’re doing something wrong.) I do not believe for one second that he sees multiple couples screwing in the audience every night. And even trying to present himself as such a badass outsider, like he’s not got people falling all over themselves to praise him all the time, is so obnoxious.
He’s not just presenting an image. He’s so egregiously TRYING WAY TOO HARD for it.
FeedThemHogs
November 5, 2015 @ 6:23 pm
He invented beer and truck songs…
So I guess ‘Tear In My Beer’ is a figment of my imagination?
Adrian
November 6, 2015 @ 2:22 am
God, I so agree with this.
Jackie Treehorn
November 6, 2015 @ 8:56 pm
Nailed it Steph! NAILED IT.
Stephanie
November 5, 2015 @ 12:02 pm
And now I probably walked into the lion’s den because the commentary here is overwhelmingly Church fans. I’m just giving you the impression that a casual observer who is not a predetermined eric Church fan can get from him.
I don’t think he’s nearly as bad, musically, as many of his peers. But the schtick is so fucking obnoxious, and the fact that people act like he’s the second fucking coming makes it worse.
Brian
November 6, 2015 @ 9:36 am
I know what you are talking about Stephanie, but I have grown to just overlook that stuff. The more artists I watch, I see almost all them trying to be cool in some way. Some of those most respected artists in the Texas scene, even a few of my absolute favorites wear stuff at shows that you can just tell they are trying to be cool and play the whole rockstar vibe. I am sure Eric Church exaggerates some of the stuff he says, but it is mostly harmless, I mean we don’t know what any of these people are really like behind closed doors, so if the worst they are doing is trying to appear a little more macho or cool, it is something I can overlook. I see a lot of these artists with Tats and all these things and I don’t know if that is them or if they are just trying to be cool , so I just try to enjoy the music and leave the rest of it. How about this Stephanie, what if Eric Church is really just that cool, sleep on that one. 🙂
Stephanie
November 6, 2015 @ 11:28 am
Haha, the problem is that the image he is presenting isn’t even a cool one as far as I’m concerned! Though I do like aviators a lot. In fact, if he’d just level and say “I wear aviators all the time because I think it looks cool” I’d have a hell of a lot less complaint.
Furthermore, when some total blow off act is obnoxious, I find it much easier to overlook. I wouldn’t knock Eric Church nearly so hard if it weren’t for he and everyone else trying to tout him as “the real deal.” It drives me crazy.
Also, I don’t care for the way his voice sounds, but that’s purely subjective obviously.
I’d be willing to cut him some slack and give this new album a listen, but I can’t afford all the quality albums from artists I like and respect, so I have a hard time spending that money on this. If you wanna come over and play it for me though… 😉
Jackie Treehorn
November 6, 2015 @ 9:19 pm
He is only touted as the “real deal” among those who have no concept of what the “real deal” actually is. If mellancampysteenysegerytwangy rock and roll is what is considered the real deal in today’s country world then I guess church is the man. Not for me, but whatever blows your hair back i guess.
Stephanie
November 6, 2015 @ 11:58 am
Oh and hey- I enjoyed the CMAs opener.
Stringbuzz
November 5, 2015 @ 8:46 am
Always find the comments about Eric Church on this site so entertaining.
Sometimes, someone is just not going to fit snuggly into what your expectations are.
Music is personal choice. So everyone is entitled to their opinions.
To me it is about the music and the shows.
I am a big fan of his music.. Many times this summer, we’ve sat out on the lake by the fire with shuffle on his catalog and enjoyed his songs and music.
I’ve seen over a thousand shows in my lifetime. All kinds of genres. I’ve seen Eric Church 5 times. Every time it has been a superb show, great sound, different set lists, and a shown love for his fans.
All I can honestly say, is this was a real pleasant surprise for me and as a fan, I loved the way he did this release.
Tori
November 5, 2015 @ 9:51 am
Totally agree! And some of my faves were never released..Livin’ Part of Life is one that comes to mind.
Dogit
November 5, 2015 @ 9:07 am
Say whatever you want about Church, but he plays by his own rules. I fucking love that about him. And fuck Rascal Flatts. I went to a Church concert in Orange Beach this summer. He opened his own show because the opening act bailed. He did 9 aucistic set to open his own show. That was a class move. I wish he would release some more country stuff (fiddle and steel guitar), but I like his music and style.
Tori
November 5, 2015 @ 9:52 am
Last time I saw him he played for over 2 hours, almost 3. Impressive.
2barefeet
November 5, 2015 @ 7:24 pm
I went to that show too. It’s was awesome.
CountryKnight
November 6, 2015 @ 6:24 am
I’m a huge Eric Church fan, but Rascal Flatts had every right to fire him from that ill-fated tour.
Unfortunately, Eric was replaced with Taylor Swift.
Six String Richie
November 5, 2015 @ 9:34 am
When Church played “Mr. Misunderstood” I swear I’ve heard that melody and guitar picking somewhere else.
The first song I thought of was “The River’s Workin’ ” by Steve Azar, which certainly has similarities in melody. But I know I’ve heard a song incredibly similar to the first verse and chorus before the production kicks in.
I’m thinking maybe a Black Crowes album track or an album track from Pirates of the Mississippi? Or another album track from a ’90s record. Maybe another Steve Azar album track?
The guitar picking reminds me a little of the picking from “Santa Maria Street” by the Sand Rubies a little or “Feed Jake” by Pirates of the Mississippi. Then the production part reminds me of “My My American Pie”
Did anybody else think the Church song was incredibly familiar? If so, what song does it sound like?
Six String Richie
November 5, 2015 @ 9:57 am
Also, the rockier part of the song reminds a lot me of “Barefoot and Crazy” by Jack Ingram.
SteveG
November 5, 2015 @ 6:58 pm
“Misunderstood” by Wilco. When Church sings the refrain “Mr. misunderstood,” the melody is the absolute exact same as Wilco’s refrain “You’re so misunderstood.”
It may be 100% intentional. Church has a line about Jeff Tweedy (Wilco’s frontman) in the song.
Kevin
November 5, 2015 @ 9:55 am
Just got the album and I’m not sure if anyone already touched on this, but this album also features Rhiannon Giddens and Susan Tedeschi. So cool
Stringbuzz
November 5, 2015 @ 10:01 am
I just got it. Even used Trig’s link!
I am really enjoying it.
Can’t wait for the review Trig. I am actually very curious about your review for this..
ManOfTheEast
November 5, 2015 @ 10:08 am
Grady Smith seems to be a fan.
https://mobile.twitter.com/gradywsmith/status/662302019919568896
Nick
November 5, 2015 @ 10:51 am
I downloaded the album, but have not had a chance to give it a fair listen. If I like it, I’ll buy the physical copy. For now, does anyone know who wrote each of the songs? I can’t find this online, and I do not have a physical copy to look it up.
Update: I found it.
1. “Mr. Misunderstood” (Eric Church, Casey Beathard)
2. “Mistress Named Music” (Church, Beathard)
3. “Chattanooga Lucy” (Church, Jeff Hyde, Ryan Tyndell)
4. “Mixed Drinks About Feelings” (feat. Susan Tedeschi) (Church)
5. “Knives of New Orleans” (Church, Jeremy Spillman, Travis Meadows)
6. “Round Here Buzz” (Church, Hyde, Luke Dick)
7. “Kill a Word” (Church, Hyde, Dick)
8. “Holdin”™ My Own” (Church)
9. “Record Year” (Church, Hyde)
10. “Three Year Old” (Church, Beathard, Monty Criswell)
jamie quire
November 7, 2015 @ 6:18 am
Eric Church writes ALL of his own songs. Sometimes he has some cowriters, but these songs were all written by Eric.
Acca Dacca
November 5, 2015 @ 11:01 am
Trigger, any news on a proper physical release? Vinyl and CD copies are being sold via his website, but I assume that exclusivity won’t last too long. Just wondering when the embargo might end.
Mike W.
November 5, 2015 @ 4:07 pm
I’m wondering the same. At the very least I wish we knew when the Apple Music exclusive window is up so I could purchase it on Amazon or Google.
These exclusives are so annoying, I get not wanting to release it to streaming sites to drive up album sales, but at least make it so I can buy it anywhere I want rather than sending Cupertino more cash.
Acca Dacca
November 5, 2015 @ 6:27 pm
Well, one figures it’ll end eventually. Seems that in the old days artists worked hard to make the public aware that they were releasing a new album months ahead of time. These days they work hard to keep it a secret until it’s on your doorstep.
Nick
November 6, 2015 @ 10:02 am
Physical releases at store today. All other streaming services will have it 11/11
Stringbuzz
November 5, 2015 @ 1:45 pm
This is pretty cool background on the kid in the video and on album cover
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/lifestyle/entertainment/2015/11/05/webster-teen-new-eric-church-video/75223310/
mcs
November 5, 2015 @ 2:27 pm
That is pretty rad. The video is decent too. The moments between the father and son felt real. This is how music should make people feel.
Tom
November 5, 2015 @ 1:59 pm
Is he going for the George Michael look on that album cover?
T
November 5, 2015 @ 4:09 pm
Corporate country music still sucks.
Sullie
November 5, 2015 @ 4:17 pm
“The next album you’ll hate”. Did Church add that just for us, Trigger, or was that you? It’s only advertised that way on SCM. Either way that awesome.
Trigger
November 5, 2015 @ 7:45 pm
I’ll just say that Eric Church’s peeps know the history with Eric Church here. It’s their ad, I didn’t do or suggest anything.
I do feel the need to point out that I’ve always given credit to Eric Church when credit is due, whether it’s playing the acoustic concert when his band got sick, to taking cool folks on the road with him, to his duet with Valerie June. Though you’ll fine many people who disagree, I truly don’t hold grudges against artists, or bring bias to the the table. We all have biases naturally, but it’s my job to see through that stuff whenever giving my opinion on matters.
Leland Lawrence
November 5, 2015 @ 4:30 pm
I was a fan till I heard him sing live. Was one of thee worst shows I’ve ever seen. I’d admit he has a few songs I can get into just wouldn’t pay to see a show.
Brian
November 6, 2015 @ 7:24 am
Sorry if I missed it – but what are the ramifications of not releasing on a Friday? Do you get a sternly worded letter from the record industry?
Trigger
November 6, 2015 @ 8:39 am
The idea of the Friday release is to standardize things across the industry and to help prevent piracy, so if someone doesn’t want to follow along, I’m sure they’re cautioned against doing do so but are still free to make their own decisions.
Jack Williams
November 6, 2015 @ 8:14 am
I just watched the video of the song Mr. Misunderstood and must say that I really like it. The melody on the chorus sounding just like Wilco’s Misunderstood has to be intentional. Also, while his song “Springsteen” doesn’t make this long time Bruce fan feel much of anything (see Scott Miller’s Freedom’s a Stranger for a song that does a excellent job in speaking to a Bruce fan), some of his inflections at the beginning of the song made me think of Nebraska and Tunnel of Love era Bruce. And the shout out to Ray Wylie? Well, God love him for that.
I’m interested to hear the rest of the album and look forward to Trigger’s review.
Cool Lester Smooth
November 6, 2015 @ 11:25 am
Awesome. Besides The Outsiders, Church can always be relied on for a dose of good-to-very good rock-country.
Incidentally, this comment section is exactly why I don’t keep up with musicians’ personal lives. Jesus Christ.
Pete Marshall
November 6, 2015 @ 4:57 pm
I’ll buy the cd when it come in stores.
mcs
November 6, 2015 @ 5:09 pm
(Un)patiently waiting for your review, Trigger. Growing up I was (and still am) a big Counting Crows fan, and I can’t help but feel that the lyricism of Mr. Misunderstood rivals some of Adam Duritz’ best lines.
Some of these songs are making a case for bumping out some of my top 5 from Eric.
BwareDWare94
November 6, 2015 @ 6:32 pm
I tell you what, Trigger, this album is mostly fantastic. The only real dud of a track is Chattanooga Lucy but even that has some serious highlights. Eric Church hitting high notes like you’d never believe and some good lyrics. The chorus is kinda of clunky so that drags it down a bit, and I am in general not a fan of the style of the song. Otherwise, nearly every track is memorable. Just wait until you hear “Knives of New Orleans” (RS Country had the nerve to suggest he was influenced by Isbell on this one, and they might be right) and “Kill a Word,” the latter of which is essentially the anti-bullying haymaker that Shinedown was looking for but missed with “Bully.”
After the sonic diarrhea that was The Outsiders, this is an astounding return to form that casts aside the nonsense and the bravado and instead showcases a truly gifted songwriter.
Bobsled
November 6, 2015 @ 8:27 pm
I believe this album is the best the ECB has ever released. In my opinion, as a body of work, it surpasses chief and even sinners like me…and I didn’t think that possible.
Chatanooga Lucy might grow on you. It sure has for me. 1:50 forward is instrumental genius.
A cool side note here, this album isn’t a compilation of a bunch of studio musicians and overproduction. The only music makers on the record are the band members and Jay Joyce adding some guitar. Maybe that’s why it feels so genuine.
Looking forward to Trigger’s review on this one. Even most Who are usually real tough on Church have had trouble finding weak spots here.
This album is a gem.
Ray W Hubbard
November 6, 2015 @ 8:09 pm
it was sure as hell a bolt out of the blue..i have no idea how i got thrown in the middle there between elvis costello and jeff tweedy. i’m pretty sure its not a marketing ploy. i have to say i damn near teared up when i first heard it the next day after the awards. now i got to say to those cats who don’t like him that you got to admit it was a nice ackowledgement from a guy who sells out stadiums to mention an old wore road dog folkie who has yet to sell out gruene hall.
anyhow take care trigger.
rwh