Some Tyler Childers Fans Are Now Claiming ‘Snipe Hunter’ Is Just A Prank On Conservative Fans… & I’m Absolutely Not Buying It

Tyler Childers jumped back on the charts last Friday with his new highly anticipated album Snipe Hunter. It debuted at #2 on the Apple Music Top Country Album Chart in the U.S. and had multiple previously unreleased songs on the track list that fans were excited for.

Even with high anticipation from fans, there was a surprising number of mixed reviews about the album when people were finally able to give it a listen. While some fans loved the new sound, many criticized his departure from their expectations and into a more experimental sound. Listener’s main complaint was that the production sounded “off,” and many pointed out online that the album was almost alienating to his previous work— taking on new unfamiliar sounds that fans weren’t used to.

When you are expecting one thing from an artist and they deliver another, I think it’s appropriate to deem yourself disappointed. Think, the notorious 1965 Bringing It All Back Home album that shook up the entire country and folk music genre when Bob Dylan had his electric renaissance. Sometimes changes like this work for listeners, and sometimes they repel them, and that’s the risk artists take when exploring new stylistic avenues.

It’s obvious to me that this change in style and sound is due to Tyler’s change in lifestyle over the years, and frankly, just a desire to have fun and get a little weird in the studio. However, there have been some crazy theories circulating online about why Childers has changed so much on this new album. Honestly, they are kind of interesting takes.

The one that stuck out to me the most was that Snipe Hunter was a prank on fans. Specifically, a prank on the more Conservative-leaning fans that Tyler allegedly “hates.” You know, the ones who show up to his shows and heckle him about playing “Feathered Indians,” the ones who took exception to his “In Your Love” music video, and think he was “better on drugs” or “better before he went woke.”

The main claim for this theory is that the album title “Snipe Hunter” is a nod to a type of hunting prank. The term “snipe hunt” is defined as a practical joke where a person is tricked into searching for a mythical creature in the woods called a “snipe.” Of course, this creature does not exist, so when the person tricked cannot find what they are looking for, they are left alone and feeling foolish. It’s similar to the popular prank where parents send their unsuspecting kids into the auto parts store to pick up some “blinker fluid.”

Although, there is a real bird in the United States called a snipe, or more accurately called “Wilson’s snipe,” so the origin of the prank is a little confusing.

Nevertheless, some fans think Tyler Childers intentionally put a couple old songs on the new album, and even started playing “Jersey Giant” again in an effort to “prank” the fans who are married to his old Purgatory sound, and their perception of him before he got sober. These fans allegedly came in expecting to find a sound that harkened back to the Tyler Childers of old, but were tricked by a new and experimental style.

TikTok user @pawnsorkings talks about this theory in a video that has since garnered a ton of traction on the platform.

@pawnsorkings #tylerchilders #tylerchildersmusic ♬ Bitin’ List – Tyler Childers

A number of comments chimed in, agreeing with this take:

“Tyler Childers is a Mastermind.”

“This is 100% the vibe I got from it. I think Oneida and Nose to the Grindstone were bait or even gifts to true fans.”

“Republicans. It’s Joke on Republicans.”

Why you gonna explain the snipe hunt and ruin all our fun.”

“Yeah this actually makes so much sense.”

“Also, Tyler Childers is my favorite kind of man. Looks Republican – is not Republican.”

Yeah… I’m not buying into the idea that Childers was scheming in the recording studio. And a number of comments agreed as well. For every comment agreeing with this bizarre theory, there was that said something to the effect of “Tyler’s just having fun.” And that’s really seems to be all there is to it. Snipe Hunter is Tyler Childers having fun and pushing the boundaries of his creativity. And honestly, it seems like it’s just for the sake of pushing boundaries… there really isn’t much of a grand message in this album, as much as people seem to keep digging for hidden meaning. I’m taking most of the songs as pretty literal.

After listening a few times, I think this is an album that really grows on you. I do see where people are coming from with their complaints on the new sound, but music is subjective. When we know and love an artist, it’s hard to accept change. However, keeping an open mind to creative exploration is an important part of musical invention and evolution in genres.

At the end of the day, I believe that Tyler’s drastic change in production is due to his change in lifestyle. Childers has battled with addiction and mental health issues throughout the course of his music career, and from what it seems, he appears to be in a better mental state these days. These lifestyle changes reflect in his creative endeavors.

Plus, I think people might be forgetting Tyler’s true nature when it comes to his new lyrics— which some may consider to be eccentric, but I’ve seen so many wild theories about “Eatin’ Big Time” being some kind of metaphor “eat the rich,” or how he starts off hunting a billionaire… I think it’s just him being funny about how successful he’s become while still being a hillbilly at heart. Wearing a fancy watch, hunting big feeder deer from a massive blind, all the Gold/Platinum records, riding a sow AKA “high on the hog,” surfing in the kitchen which sounds like some kind of euphemism for sex… life is good for Tyler, and it’s been a long, hard journey to get there. That’s all this song is about…

I mean, this is the same guy we see with intense Appalachian stares and unprompted monologues when performing live. He’s always been a strange, goofy guy, but he’s a creative, and well— you can’t really blame him for that. But to suggest he made this entire album, and enlisted the help of the great Rick Rubin, just out of spite? C’mon… what a way to completely invalidate and cheapen his art, whether you enjoy it or not. At this point I’m not sure who are more insufferable, the “Tyler was better on drugs” crowd or the new fans who are only here because they think Tyler is trying to “stick it to the MAGA crowd.”

Regardless of the mixed opinions, I think Childers will continue to evolve his sound throughout the rest of his career, and you know what… I’ll be there for it.The post Some Tyler Childers Fans Are Now Claiming ‘Snipe Hunter’ Is Just A Prank On Conservative Fans… & I’m Absolutely Not Buying It first appeared on Whiskey Riff.