Riser - Dierks Bentley - Album Review

Dierks Bentley deviates slightly from his previous album Home with Riser, which keeps him moving forward. The album is diverse, offers us a wide range of stories and sounds, and involves us as a listener in this album. I Hold On is perhaps one of the best songs of the year, and will most probably be nominated for numerous awards in the future, and is one of the numerous reasons to buy this album.

Opening up the album with such an emotional song as Bourbon In Kentucky, we can't help but raise the bar for what we expect from the rest of the album. And we don't leave disappointed. If you liked Home in the previous album, you won't fall on your back out of surprise with this new release. Sadly though, Dierks Bentley tried to imitate the success of 5-1-5-0 and other previous summer songs in this album, but in my mind those songs aren't as good as they could have been. They sound out of place, and out of what Dierks wants to do with this album. Similarly to Eric Church, this album gives us a better perspective of him as an artist, and it's lyrically involving.

The audience aimed by Dierks Bentley is much more mature, and it basically grew with him in the last couple of years. The album offers discussions on marriage, on the life as an artist with kids. Right off the bat, you see that this album isn't quite aimed at 17 years old looking for something to dance on. Lyrically, like mentioned previously, the album is fantastic, and no song really disappoints in that regard. Musically, the album covers a wide range of sounds, but his previous album was better in that aspect in my mind. The songs have less of an ear-worm factor, but only time and numerous playbacks will tell if that's totally right. The album is filled with slow intense ballads, which can be seen as something positive by some, negative by others.

Overall, this album will be widely appreciated by Dierks Bentley's fans, but I doubt it will increase his exposure to new generations of country listeners, like Home perhaps did in the past.

TLDR: The album is filled with very intense and emotional songs, and offers a wide discussion about many subjects. Dierks' fans will appreciate this album a lot, while people looking for summer party songs will leave disappointed.

9/10

Bourbon In Kentucky

Dierks doesn't disappoint on the first song of this album. While as a single it didn't rank that high (#40), in my opinion it's one of the best breakup song of the year. It's emotional, and also a total ear-worm. The lyric's depth is exceptional, and Kacey Musgrave's voice in the back is a very nice subtle touch. The song is slightly repetitive, but the lyrics are still really diverse.

9.5/10

Say You Do
This song has a nice balance between a slow and a fast tempo, and integrates the emotional aspect of the lyrics superbly. It's a very good song, but the placement on the album feels odd, since artists rarely put two sad love songs in a row.

8/10

I Hold On

This song is in my top 5 for the year that's for sure. This song is emotional, the guitar is plainly fantastic, the lyrics are amazing. Just top notch all around. I literally have nothing more to say about it. It's perfect.

10/10

Pretty Girls
This is a genuinely weird song. With the type of lyrics in there (bikinis, tan lines, etc.), I would have imagined something really upbeat to head straight on the radio in the summer. Dierks really wanted this song to be a song that you would listen around a campfire while chatting with your friends. I think there's a need for this type of song though, and it's a nice touch and adds diversity to the album overall.

7.5/10

Here On Earth
I really like the story of this song, about the guy who isn't sure what his life is all about anymore. The song is poetic, and the music fits it very well. It's really not an ear worm, but it's a fantastic song.

8.5/10

Drunk On A Plane
This is an hilarious song. The lyrics are really fantastic. It's an ear worm, it's upbeat, it's intelligent... excellent song. I really hope it lands on the radio so that people can know about it.

9/10

Five
Every album in country needs at least one "we were young and in love" song. Riser makes no exception to the rule. Five is an entertaining song, the lyrics weren't left behind in the dust like many artists do for this kind of song. The guitar and drum are repetitive though, and lack creativity. This song could have been better than this.

7.5/10

Riser
If there was song that was a miss on this album, it was this one, at least for me. It may touch some people, but it was supposed to be really emotional and all, but I didn't quite buy it. I think Dierks Bentley aimed to do a song similar to The Outsider by Eric Church, but it my mind it fails at being as good and involving. It's a good song anyways, but it could have been a lot better if the music was more involving and the lyrics weren't as repetitive.

7/10

Sounds Of Summer
This song was supposed to be a summer hit by Dierks Bentley, but I genuinely doubt it will achieve this goal. The chorus doesn't rhyme enough, it's too long and not "fun" enough to stay in people's ears. It is a decent song, but the goal of this song was clear, and the execution wasn't there. That being said, for listeners who aren't interested in party songs, it's a very good song, the lyrics are great.

7.5/10

Damn These Dreams
This is a very  personal from Dierks Bentley, with verses like "It was all fun and games 'til the little ones came / 'Cause it makes my heart bleed / When I gotta drive away and listen to 'em say / Hey daddy, why you gotta go, please don't leave". The guitar strumming all along fits the song very well. I really enjoyed this song, I think it's great that artists open themselves up like that in a song.

9.5/10

Back Porch
This song is a real ear worm, I really love the "honky tonk" sound of it. It sounds great, and it's the best summer song of the album in my mind. I'm confident that we'll hear it on the radio at some point. It doesn't only sound great, it's also well-written.

9/10

Hurt Somebody
This is a slow song, but it's quite good. It's calmly poetic, but it lacks emotion in my opinion. It's a bit of a downer to end an album in my mind, I really prefer when it's on a good note.

8/10