Chief
by Eric Church
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
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  1. Expert Witness (MSN Music)
    Oct 11, 2011
    91
    Church has always known how to write, and he's blowing here.
  2. Boston Globe
    Jul 25, 2011
    80
    Church and his co-writers also shine as clever lyricists, making his formula-following peers sound even more generic.
  3. The A.V. Club
    Aug 16, 2011
    75
    Chief is a record made for Saturday night, but it's worth playing on Sunday morning, too.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    Jul 22, 2011
    75
    This midlevel country dude, one of Nashville's most detail-oriented songwriters, peppers his third album, Chief, with so many proper nouns - Waylon and Springsteen, Jack Daniel's and Jesus - that it's sometimes hard to hear 
Eric Church through all the neo-outlaw hero worship.
  6. AllMusic
    Dec 6, 2011
    70
    While it doesn't break any new ground and remains firmly entrenched in contemporary country's geography, it evokes the riled-up, bluesy hard country rock sound of Hank Jr. enough that it separates Church from the genre's other practitioners who are attempting the same thing.
  7. Village Voice
    Aug 9, 2011
    70
    Chief, like Church's other work, walks the line between hard Southern boogie and softie singer-songster sap, but with plenty of chug.
  8. Rolling Stone
    Jul 26, 2011
    70
    The titles tell the story on Eric Church's third album: This is country music in the rough 'n' tumble honky-tonk tradition.
  9. Slant Magazine
    Jul 25, 2011
    70
    In what has been a truly dreadful year for country music, Chief is a surprise standout.
  10. American Songwriter
    Jul 24, 2011
    70
    Now a husband and soon-to-be father, you might expect Church to express that serenity and joy in songs about married bliss. Not here, where he prefers to sing of bruised heart and booze-filled adventures, even better fodder for his gnarled drawl

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. Tesla045
    Nov 4, 2018
    10
    This album was perfection! A great album is one that the songs you have not heard of turn into your favorites. That was the case for me withThis album was perfection! A great album is one that the songs you have not heard of turn into your favorites. That was the case for me with Chief. This album has been released for some time and is still one of go to's!… Full Review »
  2. SMoretz
    Jun 2, 2013
    9
    Even the songs not released as singles are good songs. Eric scored big on "Springstein" and "Like Jesus Does". Creepin is a song that isEven the songs not released as singles are good songs. Eric scored big on "Springstein" and "Like Jesus Does". Creepin is a song that is very unique and catchy. A great Cd to listen to just hanging out. One of the better albums I've listened to in a while.… Full Review »
  3. dudeperson
    Aug 3, 2011
    8
    I really can't think of any better way to describe Eric Church (or this album) than badass. I really enjoyed this album and it is a reallyI really can't think of any better way to describe Eric Church (or this album) than badass. I really enjoyed this album and it is a really different album from most others being put out by mainstream country artists right now. I didn't really think there was a standout song off the record, but they are all very good, and there is not one bad song, which is a rarity.… Full Review »
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