Album Review: Where The Earth Opens Wide by Chet Vincent
Alright, so I’ve been jamming to Where The Earth Opens Wide by Chet Vincent for a bit now, and honestly? It’s one of those albums that kinda sneaks up on you. Released back in 2018 under Misra Records, this thing blends folk, rock, and singer-songwriter vibes into something that feels both raw and polished at the same time. Like, it's not trying too hard, but it still hits all the right notes. And yeah, it’s got its fair share of tracks—some repeating titles—but don’t let that throw you off.
Let me just say real quick: if you’re into music that tells stories without beating you over the head with them, then Chet Vincent is your guy. He’s got this way of weaving lyrics that feel personal but also universal, like he’s singing about his life but somehow knows exactly what you’ve been through too. Not bad for an album outta the US, huh?
Now, two tracks really stuck with me here: “King of America” and “The Forest Needs The Fire.” Let’s talk about “King of America” first because dang, this one hits different. It’s got this gritty, almost defiant energy to it, like Chet’s laying down some truths he’s been holding onto for a while. The melody builds up slow, but once it kicks in, it’s like, whoa, hold my beer. You can hear bits of classic rock mixed with folk storytelling, and it just works. Every time it comes on, I find myself nodding along like, yeah, I get it man. Whatever "it" is.
Then there’s “The Forest Needs The Fire,” which pops up more than once (three times, actually). At first, I was like, huh, why repeat this so much? But after a few listens, it clicked. This track feels like the heart of the album—a metaphorical gut-punch wrapped in haunting vocals and steady guitar strums. It’s about destruction being necessary for growth, or at least that’s how I’m reading it. Feels heavy, but not in a bad way. More like, oh wow, I needed to hear this today.
Other standouts include “Boxcar Blues,” which has this dusty, road-weary vibe perfect for staring out windows during long drives, and “Laughing Through Your Tears,” which is as bittersweet as the title suggests. Honestly, every track brings something unique to the table, even if they revisit themes a couple times.
Here’s the thing though—at the end of the day, Where The Earth Opens Wide isn’t gonna blow your mind with crazy production tricks or anything flashy. What it does do is stick around in your brain long after the last note fades. Like when you finish a good book and think about it randomly days later. That’s this album.
Oh, and random thought—I bet Chet Vincent would kill it performing live in some small venue where everyone’s packed tight and singing along. Something about his voice makes you wanna join in, ya know? Anyway, give this album a spin if you’re looking for something real without all the fluff. Trust me, it’s worth it.
