Song Review – Eric Church’s “Monsters”
Eric Church will always pull polarized viewpoints from country fans, if not for his bad attitude in past eras, then from his propensity to veer into the rock space, or most recently, a patently false and pathetic clickbait cover from Rolling Stone characterizing him as an anti-gun Bernie Sanders supporter, unnecessarily roiling his fan base. Those who blanket Church with their adverse opinions on anything popular in country music do themselves and Eric Church a disservice by leaning on such stock assumptions. His (rumored) upcoming radio single “Monsters” is a perfect example of this.
If the most important element to a country song is telling a story and conveying an emotion, then “Monsters” most certainly qualifies. Unlike many of its peers in popular country, the song doesn’t forgo the third verse for another run through a canned and saccharine chorus. Co-written with Jeff Hyde, Eric Church creates a compelling, emotionally rich, and cross-generational moment that covers a lot of ground in just over three minutes. It’s also underpinned with a soft spoken Gospel component that ties the song to country’s roots, and could really put a charge in it just like we recently saw with Blake Shelton’s mammoth single “God’s Country” due to the Christian market appeal.
Production and instrumentation is where some will find fault with this effort. Producer Jay Joyce summons the demons of arena rock in the bridge of the song, before then quickly evoking the angelic, Journey-like fluffiness of pop rock. But storytelling isn’t just accomplished through words. Eric Church and Jay Joyce understand this, and their liberties with the composition are not just rendered forgivable, but are arguably admirable in giving “Monsters” and arc and allowing the music to explore the difference between fear and comfort the song encapsulates, even if they dribble the ball outside of the conventional boundaries of country music in a couple of spots.
Chest pounding and self-gratifying hard rock songs like the ones Eric Church has been known to call country in the past don’t talk about being scared of monsters, or vulnerability, or coming to grips with the fact that some of the most malevolent forces in your life come from within yourself. And being able to see his own memories through the eyes of his son makes “Monsters” especially touching and real. Eric Church has evolved in his career in a way his staunchest critics refuse to recognize. Still, you can’t help but wonder how a quality song like “Monsters” would turn out if Church would just make it sound more country.
If Eric Church ever ends up in the Hall of Fame (a shuddering notion for some assuredly), it won’t be from his natural gift for singing. It’s not that he’s a bad singer, it’s just not his primary strength. However just like on much of his latest record Desperate Man, Church hones in on the soulful sweet spot in his voice with which to sing “Monsters,” using the same varying dynamics as the music does to deftly shape a swell of emotions.
After the comparatively mild “Some Of It” became Eric Church’s eighth number one single at country radio, he’s done all he needs to do on radio in this album cycle. Church doesn’t need radio to pack out arenas, so why not release the best song from his current record to radio and see if it sticks, and help inject a little substance into the format? “Monsters” very well maybe that best song.
August 1, 2019 @ 8:52 am
This is such a great song. These mid tempo songs are were Church shines the most. For all his bravado and rock star status. It’s songs like this and going all the way back to his first record with “These Boots” and “Sinners Like Me” that will always be his best.
August 1, 2019 @ 9:21 am
I cannot tell you how much I love this song. I hope you are right and this is the next single, I had forgotten about this song and when I listened to the album on release, I did not think it would be a single.
August 1, 2019 @ 9:41 am
I’ve never been a big fan of Church, foe the reason Trigger outlines in this article… BUT
When you compare him to most other popular mainstream country artists, he is among the best out there. He has a history of featuring up and coming women artists on his songs and at least his music has something to say other than praising the bro country culture. Sure he has had some bro-ish songs, but on the whole, he is miles above his contemporaries.
And yeah, I am begrudgingly liking this song.
August 1, 2019 @ 9:45 am
I’ve seen Eric play a lot of places over the years, from the shockingly small Choctaw Grand Theater to The Gorge Amphitheater last month. His catalog speaks to me in ways that transcend the at times slightly corny persona he’s put on throughout his career. All of us who grew up artsy in country towns know you have to cope with that somehow. In his case, the black leather of ‘The Outsiders’ paved the way for the Converse and Aviators shoegaze of ‘Mr. Misunderstood.’ In spite of some posturing, his self-reflective journey has been largely an earnest one.
‘Desperate Man’ as an album took a few spins for me to wrap my mind around. It’s best enjoyed on vinyl with a coffee or a whiskey, sitting there and really listening. Which, as much as I love him, isn’t always something I’d say about other EC records. Lots of times, they’re windows-down backroads affairs. The production and lyricism of Desperate Man makes it a listening record that still manages to have commercial appeal and arena-filling power.
When Church played ‘Monsters’ at The Gorge, it finally all clicked for me. Sure, I’ve been spinning the album for over a year now, but the way he introduced it and proceeded to deliver serious emotion in a set that also included rollicking jams like ‘Cold One’ and ‘Drink in My Hand’ reminded me why he is one of the best in the business. The man really feels. Just look back to his poignant performance of ‘Why Not Me?’ On ‘Monsters,’ he managed to take a format that sometimes annoys me (take a song sort of written for children but then swap a few metaphors out) and crafted a tear-jerking song out of it.
As someone who battles demons daily, grew up in God’s country, and has a really hard time actually falling on my knees in earnestness these days, I’d say EC nailed it. I share the sentiment that the production lost the plot a little (likely the most of any song on the album relative to its lyrical gravity), but seeing it live and stripped down while simultaneously filling up the expansive outdoor venue that is the Gorge confirmed for me that the song itself is *Solid* and, as wonkabar said, will stand the test of time alongside some of his other deceptively “simple” softie songs from his early catalog. It’s hard to be honest about your fears and flaws in a world that tries to force you to be manly, and that is where Church excels. For all his bravado, there may not be any other “outlaw” artist who can bring this reluctant, rusty curmudgeon to tears. Thanks for celebrating this song, Trigger. I can only hope and pray that Eric visits this page and sees my comment. He and Evan Felker have saved my life about as many times as Eric’s six-string has saved his.
August 1, 2019 @ 10:03 am
Wow I feel like this was written for me….the part about Evan felker and Eric church saving your life sums up how I feel to!
August 1, 2019 @ 10:21 am
Some really great comments on this article.
August 2, 2019 @ 7:40 am
Right on the money.
August 1, 2019 @ 9:55 am
A bunch of years ago, I stood up for Florida Georgia Line after Dirt and said let’s wait and see if marriage and fatherhood change them. It hasn’t and I was dumb to think it would. But it sees fatherhood has really changed Church – not just in songs like Three-Year-Old and Monsters – but in the ways, he looks into his life in most of his music. Hippie Radio could have also been a single and while it could truly be about his dad in the front seat, it could also be about him singing with his kids in the back.
Monsters may end up in the top 10 but it will hardly be a radio smash. It seems radio until its death wants to play songs about the start of a relationship or the end of the relationship and not about the ties that keep a relationship strong. As a father of an 8 and two 6-year-olds, I can tell you they’re scared of the dark and I’m scared of what they will run into when I’m not looking. It’s a perfectly written song about being a dad to young boys and girls.
August 1, 2019 @ 9:59 am
Of all the songs on Desperate Man, I think this is probably the most well written. It also is a reflection of where I think Church is in his life. There is a maturity in this song. A self awareness that life has dangers that as we age. And become parents we become more aware of.
One of the reasons why I love Eric Church’s music has to do with age. I’m around the same age as Church and my life has grown with his music. I’ve been able to relate with his writing and music based on where I am in my life. This song fits that pattern.
Good review Trigger. I’m am very interested to see how this song is treated by radio.
August 1, 2019 @ 10:00 am
i think it was the las Vegas shooting that inspired him to write this song. Its refreshing to have an artist that sings about fatherhood and children, instead of what makes them country. Crazy world we live on nowadays, im sure most people could easily relate to this song.
August 1, 2019 @ 10:16 am
He’s one of the few mainstream artists I can stomach.
August 1, 2019 @ 10:30 am
I think a strong point of Church is the songwriting of his latter half of years in the music business.
Instead of listening to a song, it is like listening to a message. Whether one agrees with it or not, they are forced to reckon with a message. Not just a story, but a message. The difference is a message tends to make one decide about the subject matter. Big difference.
Songs like: Homeboy, Mr. Misunderstood, Kill a Word, Some of it, and now this song.
I agree that it would be better if this sounded more country, at least for my taste. The irony is that compared to day’s elementary gibberish passed off as country music, it actually does.
August 1, 2019 @ 10:37 am
Desperate Man is probably Church’s weakest album I think, but I still like it. Monsters is a really good song from it, but “Drowning Man” might be my favorite.
August 1, 2019 @ 12:49 pm
I too thought this would be his weakest album after listening to samples prior to the albums release, however after listening to the album multiple times and really getting a feel for the record I wound up thinking it was his best effort. While I love the early stuff, I think this album is *Solid*.
Not many weak points to it. My dad completely disagreed with me and I get it. Looking at his catalog “The Outsiders” was beginning to end the weakest effort with some really excellent songs peppered in. I know it’s a matter of opinion, but if the guy hadn’t evolved his sound, I think there would be more critical reviews and apathy towards him.
August 1, 2019 @ 5:59 pm
I like The Outsiders better than most. Mr. Misunderstood is my favorite album of his. I’m a huge fan of his overall though.
1. Mr. Misunderstood
2. Sinners Like Me
3. The Outsiders
4. Carolina
5. Chief
6. Desperate Man
August 2, 2019 @ 10:13 am
For me it’s
1. Chief
2. Desperate Man
3. Sinners
4. Mr. Misunderstood
5. Carolina
6. The Outsiders
For me its always the songs off these albums he DIDN’T release. A Man Who Was Gonna Die Young is one of his best songs to me. Each album had a song that I felt needed to be released but never was.
August 2, 2019 @ 8:58 pm
Close but no cigar.
1. Mr. Misunderstood (I doubt he’ll ever top this masterpiece of an album)
2. Desperate Man
3. Chief
4. The Outsiders
5. Sinners like Me
6. Carolina
August 1, 2019 @ 10:39 am
I do not hear the country in this song. I hear Church’s voice which has been tied to country music more than any other genre but if I close my eyes and pretend I do not know who is singing the song than it is not a country song but yet another song that one would find on the “country” radio along with FGL and San Hunt. unlike FGL and Sam Hunt I think the song is decent but it is not a decent country tune, just decent tune.
August 1, 2019 @ 10:49 am
It is the best song off the disappointing “Desperate Man” album. Absolutely brilliant. Church is at his best when he is vulnerable.
I still want him to return to his “Sinners Like Me” sound. “Two Pink Lines” was such a great story and jam.
August 1, 2019 @ 10:53 am
Still waiting on him to place, “There Are Those (Still Standing Their Ground) on an album.
Check it out on YouTube.
August 1, 2019 @ 1:07 pm
That’s been a favorite of mine for a while now. It definitely needs an album release
August 1, 2019 @ 11:05 am
Church said having that many guns wasn’t covered under the 2nd Amendment. He said no one should have 21 AK’s and 10,000 rounds of ammo without the authorities knowing about it.
He sounds pretty anti gun to me and clearly has no clue what the 2nd Amendment is for.
You will not find the word “need” anywhere in the 2nd Amendment.
August 1, 2019 @ 12:23 pm
Eric Church is a country singer, not a constitutional scholar. Why he is being asked to speak on the 2nd Amendment is puzzling in itself. As he also said in the interview, he owns guns, believes in the ownership of guns. Yes, the 2nd Amendment is often misunderstood, and it’s importance for keeping in check a tyrannical government especially. But the characterization of the Rolling Stone cover completely mischaracterized his opinion, and has caused him undue polarization for a completely reasonable opinion.
August 1, 2019 @ 4:04 pm
Rolling Stone m mischaracterizes a lot about subjects they really have no business covering, they should just stop covering politics and social issues and just stick to covering music and entertainment
August 4, 2019 @ 1:54 pm
After the events of the past two days, it should be obvious to even the densest person that no one needs an assault weapon.
August 1, 2019 @ 11:07 am
Solid. It sounds like it could easily be two-beat bluegrass. You can surely hear how it comes from one man and a strummed guitar. It’s good to see EC lose more of the chip on his shoulder. You can’t write well, like this, if you’re perpetually pissed off. Anger always narrows your mind. Church will have a long career because he’s a writer with a need to write. I’d put a bet on him racking up a long list of fine songs. I’d bet he goes the distance.
August 1, 2019 @ 11:48 am
Ah, this is really good shit.
Not quite “Hungover and Hard Up” or “Over When It’s Over” (still my two favorite songs of his)…but damn, it’s just good stuff.
August 1, 2019 @ 12:08 pm
Never had a problem with Church. I’m a child of the 70’s & 80’s. I grew up listening to as much AC/DC and Van Halen as I did Hank Jr, and Charlie Daniels band. He’s always felt like a good compromise between the two formats. Not sure if that makes him country or not, but it sounds ok to me.
August 1, 2019 @ 12:49 pm
Church lost me at his ‘I f*ckin’ hate steel guitars’ comment. That being said, as is often talked about on SCM, it’s entirely possible to appreciate the music despite a particular distaste towards the artist. This is a solid effort here by Eric and co. with a few minor exceptions called out in the review. Well written review. Thanks, Trig!
August 1, 2019 @ 12:50 pm
I don’t care for the song, because it’s not C(c)ountry. The lyrics are interesting; what or who, are the monsters?
August 1, 2019 @ 1:55 pm
Honky shut the fuck up it’s gotten to the point where I’m beginning to wonder if there has ever been a period of time where you thought anything was country. You say what are the Monsters but since I’ve literally never seen you comment in agreement with anything I must ask you what is country?
It’s not like I delusionally think this is the most country song of all time but it most definitely is country as are a lot of other things you seem to believe aren’t. I’ve begun questioning why you ever come on this site since you hate everything! God damn you frustrate the shit out of me man!
August 1, 2019 @ 6:30 pm
Yeah, everybody skims past any of my comments that might be deemed “positive”. You all look for my “negative” comments, so you can get mad, and piss and moan about it.
Eric Church is a Rock N Roll singer using the “Country” machine as the vehicle for his career. I resent that.
Would you care to grab a box of Puffs, regain your composure, and elaborate on who or what you believe the monsters are?
August 2, 2019 @ 8:01 am
you didn’t answer the man’s question about what you define as country, Honky. I am interested in your answer as well.
August 2, 2019 @ 12:36 pm
It’s crystal clear in the lyric who the monsters often are. The greed, pride. hunger and loneliness which lead us to bad decisions. We become our own monsters. Like the song or not, it’s not mysterious. It’s quality songwriting, I think.
August 2, 2019 @ 7:29 am
Seems to me like he says it at 1:00?
August 1, 2019 @ 1:10 pm
Love it big country fun ????????????????????????????????
August 1, 2019 @ 1:26 pm
Tbh, I think its great production. The song is so simple (amazing writing, but simple structure) that a country arrangement would end up a bit mundane.
I actually think its pretty amazing how well they managed to put a quite diverse backing behind him but you can still understand every word.
Ditto on the comments about growing up with Eric. Personally I never did the marriage and kids thing but I have enough nephews and nieces to get it.
Although I still think Two pink lines was a great song. Quite possibly prevented a few unwanted redneck kids.
August 1, 2019 @ 1:32 pm
Contrast this between the 40 and 50-somethings like Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Zac Brown, and others, still talking about 20-something topics. 20-somethings need songs to relate to as well, but let 20-somethings sing them. That way it’s more real.
August 1, 2019 @ 2:33 pm
That’s true Trigger, but unfortunately, it’s working for them. Bryan and Urban are hot as hell with their songs about teenage love. Urban and Bryan will probably both have two or three No. 1 singles in the time it takes Monsters to climb into the top 10. Radio is a joke.
August 2, 2019 @ 6:09 pm
“We Were” by Keith Urban was written by Church. The first time I heard it on radio, I immediately picked out the Talladega vibe.
August 5, 2019 @ 5:26 pm
In fact the only good song on that album was the one written by church. …and that was the final one I bought by urban. When urban goes back to playing country and playing his guitar, I’ll buy another album by him. Until then, too much other good stuff out there
August 1, 2019 @ 3:53 pm
I used to be a fan of Keith Urban when he first started out, today, not so much.
August 1, 2019 @ 1:55 pm
A day doesn’t go by that I don’t listen to at least one of Eric’s albums. In my opinion, I have watched his music evolve into some very deep and meaningful songs. They always have a message I can relate to and Monsters is no exception. I can honestly say there really isn’t a song he has done that I haven’t liked and picking a favorite would be impossible. His use of country, rock, and blues, is pure genius to me. And as a song writer I feel he is one of the best. Truly, I am one of his biggest fans.
August 1, 2019 @ 3:28 pm
he is what he is . a great writer . probably unparalleled when it comes to substance an injecting a song with emotion . hopefully he’s hugely inspirational to young writers who have more vision and more to say than an fgl song will let them .
he is what he is . and its honest .
i’m not sure i’d call it country but its too honest to be called pop ..
August 1, 2019 @ 3:50 pm
I liked Eric Church when he first started out, then he got caught up in the corporate machine/bro-country crap in the last few years, and I didn’t like his music at all. I do like this song, however, maybe this is a positive sign that he’s swinging back to a more traditional sound.
August 1, 2019 @ 4:43 pm
I like everything he’s done other than Outsiders.
Mister Misunderstood is pretty great start to finish, if you haven’t checked that out yet.
August 2, 2019 @ 12:47 pm
The last few years he has put out Mr Misunderstood and Desperate Man which are about as far from bro country as you can get in the mainstream.
August 2, 2019 @ 12:47 pm
Personally I have liked everything that has come out of Eric Church’s mouth since he started and I love this song too.
August 2, 2019 @ 6:15 pm
He’s the only Country artist I would pay really big bucks to see live. I would pay moderate money to see Travis Tritt or Aaron Lewis or Miranda Lambert.
August 2, 2019 @ 7:34 pm
The only person to blame for the Rolling Stone debacle is Church himself. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan, and I like a lot of his stuff (although I find Desperate Man on the weak side), but Church came across as a self-righteous and pretentious asshole in the RS article.
As far as this song goes, it’s more country than a lot of the shit on radio right now. I like it, but it’s not in my top ten (or even top twenty) favourite Eric Church songs.
September 16, 2019 @ 7:53 am
Well, he is definitely releasing as a single. If we’re being honest, it’s the best song on the whole album.
June 28, 2020 @ 5:48 am
Thanks for the review. It sounds like Church doesn’t believe country music is free fallin’ anytime soon and we don’t, either.