North Carolinian Eric Church has been no stranger to the country music spotlight. With five successful albums already solidifying his position in the top tier of singer-songwriters, Church now has a unique opportunity to tell a different story on his newest outing. Desperate Man provides his most vulnerable experience to date as he discusses his family, his fame and his faith. His command of the twangy guitar, paired with a rock structure, allows Church to ride stylistic lines to a compelling effect.

Listening to Desperate Man is like opening his diary and letting the words bleed out over pleasant melodies and guitar-driven ruminations. “Monsters” centers around remaining faithful while overcoming life’s challenges, while “Drowning Man” explores the dangers of alcoholism. They both show that Eric Church is not afraid of sharing his life experiences with the world. Whether it’s the support of his family, his love for his children, his own drinking habits or how he uses his faith to overcome obstacles, he reveals the steps he’s taken in order to live a fulfilling life.

The storytelling aspect of Church’s songwriting is as strong as ever. The types of stories he tells this time around are more vulnerable than on his past songs, remaining just as compelling and musically fascinating. “The Snake” starts with simple ominous acoustic guitar strumming before blossoming into an old-Western face-off tune. Contrasting a haunting choir accompaniment with intimately whispered monologues, the track feels like a short story set to country music, rather than a country song.

“Hippie Radio” is an equally charming ode to Church’s childhood, fueled by the family van in which he grew up riding. Things like road trips, first loves and newborns all find their way into the story. Each story is told with song time markers that relate to the years that each event took place. Each is a story to which many can relate, and reveals truths that follow us throughout our lives. Church’s explanation of the sentimental value of a van is so descriptive that the song transports listeners directly into his brain.

Desperate Man is a powerfully honest album. It not only reveals his life experiences, but how they led him to where he is today and molded him into the man he has become. In 11 songs, Eric Church is able to tell what some artists spend their whole careers working up the courage and songwriting to say so articulately. The way he blends his storytelling and realism with his well-defined country rock sound will have listeners returning.

Follow writer Piper Westrom at Twitter.com/plwestrom.