Album Review: Eric Church, Evangeline vs. Machine

Earlier this month Eric Church released a new album Evangeline vs. Machine. Church has been working hard in and out of the studio. During this album cycle there was tragedy that struck the East Coast. Hurricanes and other critical weather incidents like flooding spread chaos like wild fire leaving a trail of devastating loss and pools of grief.

Before we dive into the beautiful and soul filling tunes, I’m going to pause and praise this man for being a beacon of human decency. For focusing on helping his fans and all of the people possible he could with his work on the ground in & out of studio . So far he has 40 homes of the 200 he plans to build for families that’s have been effected in Avery County NorthCarolina.Church is able to make this possible through his non profit Chief Cares. Along with efforts to give to those who lost everything. He also has donated all publishing rights and royalties from “Darkest Hour" to the State of NC. He released the song early and lifted the spirits of those effected by Hurricane Helene while making sure he could help the place he called home before moving to Nashville.

“In your darkest hour

Baby, I’d come running (I’d come running)

In your darkest hour

I’d light your way

Baby, don’t give up (Don’t give up)

I’ll do everything in my power

To take even a minute of your darkest hour”

The chorus of this song was not just flowing words in a tune, it was a promise and a window to see how much integrity and love he holds for his family,  fans , and fellow Americans.

Evangeline,  is bursting with powerful, vibrant, yet soft and simple lyrics that makes you believe in something more powerful in music.

“Still chasing a song

Between the verse and the bridge

I know life is just a chorus to sing along”

Chorus

“Take me down to the wild

Dunk my head into the river

Raise your hands, all hail rock ‘n’ roll

Change my life, wash me clean away

The fait of a amen whisper

For the songs she sings

I’m glad to give my soul"

Eric Church may be labeled as a country music man. But he prays to rock n roll and believes in the music from a Choir, to the Grand Ol' Opry to rubbing shoulders with rock n roll Queens like Lzzy Hale of Halestorm.

Eric gives all his listeners a dose of the Church we can agree on.

Church of Music. Where you can feel your broken heart healing while your spirits are uplifted like angels whispering inspirational reminders that we can have hope and do hard things even when its as bad as can be.

Fan favorites have been tracks 2 & 3 “Bleed on Paper” and “ Johnny".

Johnny is a clever creation that intertwines the Great Charlie Daniel’s Band #1 song “The devil went down to Georgia”

“Yeah, Johnny, oh, Johnny, where did you go?

The devil’s broke out of Georgia and he’s feasting on our souls

There’s fire on the mountain and the flames are closing in

So run, get your fiddle bow and send him to hell again

Yeah, back to hell again”.

Church contrasts todays era of humans being operated by the machines from when he was a kid when it was reversed.

This album is one you can play when you need to believe in something more than what your dealt that minute. Without feeling the pressure of being religiously saturated.

The composition of all the different sounds, guitars, horns, piano and a Choir  infuse the lyrics and deliver the Church sound with a sprinkle of Angel dust.

Album is recommended for anybody who wants to experience a soul shift or need a daily dose of inspiration.

Long time fan and Route 91 survivor noted that this was a “True creative work of art. Each song is special but when you listen start to finish it allows you to experience the fully story. Bonus is album art work and design. This time felt more personal and intimate and I appreciate the hand drawn lyric videos and giving us an authentic experience and not just machined and factory pushed.”

Evangeline vs. Machine is available on all streaming platforms and can be purchased directly from him at ericchurch.com