Vinyl plays with occasional light-crackles (play-graded). Cover looks great; a few creases near edges; light-scuffing, discoloration spots, and surface impressions (front/back); tiny surface abrasions on front. Inner-sleeve is original (photo/lyrics/credits); seams partially split. Spine is mostly easy-to-read with mild-wear. Shelf-wear along top/bottom-edge and corners. Opening is crisp with signs of light use and divots. (Not a cut-out.)
Chill Factor, by Merle Haggard, was released in the midst of the "new traditionalist" movement in country music, which saw new, younger country stars such as Randy Travis begin to dominate the charts. While several country music vets saw their presence on country radio diminish, Haggard was one of the few from the old guard who remained relevant, with Chill Factor reaching No. 8 on the Billboard country album chart. However, it would be Haggard's last Top 10 album until 2007. Haggard, who had experienced drug and alcohol problems in the eighties, would be further distracted by financial difficulties in the ensuing years. In addition, long time Stranger guitarist Roy Nichols, who Haggard had played with since the early sixties, informed him that he would be retiring from the road due to ill health. In his 1999 memoir House of Memories, Haggard said of Nichols, "He is unquestionably one of the greatest guitar players in the world and definitely the greatest I've ever known closely. Until the late eighties, every successful country singer had a signature instrumental sound. Roy created mine." After the relatively disappointing chart performance of his previous album Out Among the Stars, Chill Factor was a commercial comeback for Haggard, who wrote or co-wrote all the songs on the album except one. In addition to the chart-topping Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Star, the title track was also a top ten hit, peaking at No. 9. Two other singles, We Never Touch at All and You Babe, were released.