Chris Eckman
The Land We Knew The Best


4.2
excellent

Review

by Sunnyvale STAFF
January 26th, 2025 | 10 replies


Release Date: 01/24/2025 | Tracklist

Review Summary: To measure the horizon, give me just a bit more time

Chris Eckman might not be the biggest name, but he’s got quite the list of musical accomplishments, having been involved in records released over five different decades now. He’s been a focal point for acts like The Walkabouts and Chris & Carla, while also joining Willard Grant Conspiracy and Midnight Choir for several efforts, not to mention his well-regarded solo releases.

The Land We Knew The Best marks the singer-songwriter’s latest project, a batch of moody yet reflective country-ish tunes of notable quality. This record feels both intimate and immense - leaning heavily on Eckman’s whiskey-and-cigar voice, gruff yet emotionally potent, but also incorporating a bevy of assorted instrumentation which adds a sense of grandeur to each track. The songs are (mostly) slow and measured in their pace, advancing steadily until they reach their natural limits and go no further. The lyrics may be poetic, but err on the side of simplicity, feeling elemental, as ageless as the landscapes these songs effortlessly evoke.

About those landscapes - Eckman himself relocated to a new home country of Slovenia in recent years, a geographic shift which, if Bandcamp album blurbs are to be believed, was a key influence on the the vibe of these songs. I haven’t been to Slovenia, but apparently it’s a mountainous place, so forgive me if my mind wanders while listening to these poignant pieces instead to the striking Rocky Mountain landscapes of the American West. Regardless, this album represents grizzled old man music at its finest - there’s indeed gold in these hills, and The Land We Knew The Best dispenses its rough-hewn wisdom to anyone lucky enough to hear it.



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user ratings (16)
3.6
great


Comments:Add a Comment 
Sunnyvale
Staff Reviewer
January 26th 2025


6290 Comments

Album Rating: 4.2

First review in a while, shaking off the rust.



Favorite album so far of the (very young) year - it's a rather unsparing listen but if you like the idea of melancholic and profound Americana tunes you'll probably dig it.

Scoot
January 26th 2025


22997 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

looks solid

artificialbox
Contributing Reviewer
January 26th 2025


3205 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

haven't even made it through the opening track and I'm already sold. tear-jerking instrumentation combined with such a rough raspy voice is not a combo I ever expected to win me over, but I love it. Thanks Sunny

tyman128
Staff Reviewer
January 27th 2025


4687 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Great write up and this sounds exactly like something I'd love, I'll be back in 45

artificialbox
Contributing Reviewer
January 27th 2025


3205 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

the musical equivalent of a charcoal painting

Scoot
January 27th 2025


22997 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

it's definitely a sloooooooow burn but i enjoy it

tyman128
Staff Reviewer
January 27th 2025


4687 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Yeah, this is fantastic

Sunnyvale
Staff Reviewer
January 28th 2025


6290 Comments

Album Rating: 4.2

Cheers folks - glad people are digging!

JimiLuxembourg
January 28th 2025


9 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

What a nice album. If you liked this one, you should check this one from 2018 that he recorded with a group of musicians from Croatia, a true gem



https://thestrange3.bandcamp.com/album/echo-chamber

MRDi
February 1st 2025


3 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Great piece of music! And I really love the album cover.



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