Album Of The Week: Evangeline vs. The Machine

Album Art for Evangeline vs. The Machine

Artist: Eric Church

Producer: Jay Joyce

Favorite Song: Clap Hands

Least Favorite Song: Storm In Their Blood

Rating: 8/10

Overall, Evangeline vs. The Machine is a well-done album. In usual Eric Church fashion, it's a bit different from most other mainstream country artists, which has always been a huge reason why Church has always been one of my favorite artists.

One of the main things I focus on when listening to an album is sequencing, especially the opener and closer. "Hands of Time" was the perfect decision to open the album and be the lead single as it talks about the undeniable passing of time with a very bright tone. The album concludes with the ominous, but yet catchy "Clap Hands" that nicely wraps up the album while tackling the idea of the world being quite crazy.

Each track on this album ends with a smooth transition into the next song with no break in between which is a nice touch. It makes the album feel more like one cohesive project rather than eight individual songs that play one after another. Two of my all-time favorite albums Metamodern Sounds In Country Music and Passage Du Desir, both by Sturgill Simpson use a similar seamless transition to move from song to song.

The use of a horn section throughout the album helps contribute to the dark mood throughout the album as well as the lyrics of "Johnny" which Church wrote after a school shooting in 2023. Church wrote "Darkest Hour" following Hurricane Helene which devastated his home state of North Carolina. Although these two songs were written in tough times there is a feeling of hope that is supported well by the choir.

I don't have many complaints about this album other than I wish it was a bit longer. Eight songs is a little too short in my opinion. I think 10-14 tracks is the sweet spot for an album. Other than that, this is a solid album. I think Evangeline vs. The Machine will be one of the better albums that is released this year.