‘I hope the past few years have helped fans see that this is the real me, not the person who was chasing trends or afraid to do something different’. The words of Chase Rice possessing a frank admission that considerable success came with a certain amount of compromise. While the past style was not to everyone’s taste, open ears are tuned in when new routes are explored. On ELDORA, Rice leans heavily on the personal, beginning in a simple stripped back mode before gently building and mindfully excelling. The release settles on a cautiously succinct twelve track collection allowing each song to breathe and generate an identity.
The themes are trusted fall backs in country music and when tackled with a subtle verve rarely fail to extend a warm hand. The songs reflect the experience of time spent in Eldora Colorado and express a sense of remoteness and reconnection with the basics. Truth in its purest form aligns with meaningful songs, although creativity thrives in bouts of self admitted fiction. The latter comes into play in ‘Circa 1943’ leading to a stellar story song awash with guiding guitar and a refreshing sentiment. An early pick proving a standout from an album that slowly pieces together with multiple listens.
The album plants its stake in the ground with the pairing of ‘Namin’ Horses’ and title track ‘Eldora’ in the first half. The former catches the ear with a pleasing chorus delivered by a gravelled voice exporting complete control. The latter boasts a twangy guitar opening before emerging as an exhibited juxtaposition of tenderness and grit. Preceding these two flagship numbers are the poignantly nostalgic opener ‘Cowboy Goodbye’ leading into the bouncier ‘Tall Grass’ taking the sound a little off kilter. The album reaches the halfway point with the jaunty beat defining outlier ‘Two Tone Trippin’ hosting a unique sound and an unashamed tongue-in-cheek homage to a cold one in ‘Mr Coors’. Other (better) brands are available.
The aforementioned ‘Circa 1943’ starts the second half in fine fettle including welcoming one of the characters to Superior Montana to catch his brothers band on a Tuesday night. The story with its twists is well worth listening to. ‘Featuring artists' are credited on three songs with Madeline Edwards joining the revitalised Rice on ‘Country and Western’, a delightful duet bringing two strands together on the dance floor.
With any blips ironed out, the remaining four tracks ride the crest of this fresh wave. ‘Cottonmouth’ pushes the tempo button applying a rootsy punchy sheen before providing a shield for the excellent ‘Good Side of Gettin’ Older’ to reflectively slip in and roll along with some fine pickin’. ‘One Drink Long’ and ‘Sunsettin’’ are primed to close this significant collection of precision placed songs depicting a perspective and exposing the essence of location and feeling. The latter perfectly captures Rice’s assumed intention using fiddle for effect and closing a chapter with grace and honour.
Chase Rice tastefully exudes a lifestyle on ELDORA exploring inner feelings and sharing a sense of integrity. Trends are more set than chased on this engaging record, and doing something a little different works to a tee.