Chase Rice - Dirt Road Communion Review

It'd be easy to dismiss Chase Rice as yet another good looking guy getting a shot at being a country music star not because of his talent but because his photogenic looks or his interesting story as a former college football player and Nascar pit crew man (For Jimmie Johnson) who came in second place on Survivor: Nicaragua in 2010. The problem with assuming this is that Chase Rice is not signed to some super large major recording company. Dirt Road Communion, Chase Rice's debut full-length album, is released on his own label and all of the 17 songs (one of which is hidden) were produced or co-produced by the artist himself.

Dirt Road Communion is the kind of DYI album that the internet has allowed artists to make. Gone are the days when all of the artists will sign away their life or potential earnings in order for their dream to come true. Now the artists have multiple avenues through internet sources to make a career and with a lot of hard work and the drive to succeed they can, provided that they have the talent to do so. Dirt Road Communion certainly showcases this....full text That is probably a circumstance that will change soon, given the high quality of music on this disc. Rice can maneuver between many different styles, and do so in a way that almost comes across as effortless. Some of the winners on this disc include the party-laden title cut, which could very well score at radio, the infectious “PBJ’s & PBR’s,” as well as the fun filled “Pop A Top Off.”

He can slow it down on occasion, as evidenced by the laid-back melody of “Every Song I Sing” and “Shades Of Green.” On both, he brings to mind the best of Tim McGraw, and I could very well see him having that kind of career. There’s nothing not to like about this disc, and that’s not a statement that I make too much of the time. Keep an eye out for him, and remember, you heard it here first!...full text This one was a long time comin' and any Chase Rice fan will agree, it was WELL worth the wait. Chase Rice has a hit on his hands with "Dirt Road Communion". With Chase's unique vocal style and lyrics that are relevant to most even the discerning listener, the cd makes for something different than the same old everyday music that's passing as country. Chase shows his country roots, musically declares his love of the simple things and in my opinion, has released one of the best independent cd's to date.

Typically most listeners would find it hard to like each and every song on a cd, but I find myself actually NOT skipping from one song to another because they're all so well written and all worth the listen. The title track, "Dirt Road Communion" actually makes me want to hop in a jacked up pickup truck and wind down the back roads, kicking up dust and finding a spot to just lower the tailgate, raise the volume and put down a few cold ones. That's my idea of a dirt road communion and Chase Rice will be the one in the cd player when I "commune". I love the tempo of this one, it has me dancing like "Elaine Bennis" from Seinfield in my chair as I write this. Thank God you can't see that! There is an entire listing a great songs on this cd and like I said, they're all great but a couple of them, in addition to the title track, deserve specific mention....full text