Modern Day Drifter [ENHANCED]

Dierks Bentley

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 10, 2005)
• Original Release Date: May 10, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Liberty
• ASIN: B00082ZRKI
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #36,982 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A decade ago, country acts who sounded more like arena rockers gained hegemony on a Music Row that scorned the success of the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack as a fluke. As in the past, many there couldn't see the forest for the trees. Both Bentley's own rootsy self-titled debut and Gretchen Wilson's Here for the Party prove quality modern traditionalism still sells. Bentley's sophomore album offers more straight-ahead amalgams of bluegrass, '60s Bakersfield, and raw barroom fare like the Waylonesque "Got a Lot of Leavin' Left to Do" and the beer-guzzling anthem "Domestic, Light, and Cold." He shows real depth on the sensual "Come a Little Closer." The moving, timeless "Gonna Get There Someday," a tale of a son at his mother's grave vowing to make something of himself, easily trumps the album's cliché-ridden title song, as does his fetching treatment of friend Del McCoury's "Good Man Like Me," recorded with McCoury's band. Bentley's lack of artifice proves his greatest strength. Again. --Rich Kienzle

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No sophomore blues here!, May 10, 2005

By	DanD - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Dierk's Bentley's debut CD was "new"--i.e., it was traditional country without the pop edge radio pretty much demands...and yet, Bentley became a #1 selling artist. Surprising. What's more surprising is that he keeps it going with this album, one of the best released this year.

I won't go song-for-song; let me just say that the spirits of Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and George Jones prevail. There are some romantic tunes (most notably Jamie Hartford's "Good Things Happen"); there are some heartbreakers; there are good-time drinkin' tributes ("Domestic, Light and Cold," as if you couldn't guess); kiss-offs; personal anthems (the title track, surprisingly one of the few tunes not cowritten by Bentley, though he fits the bill perfectly); and a ton of humor.

The album kicks off with the chargin' "Lot of Leavin' Left To Do", and ends on the gut-wrenching "Gonna Get There Someday." In between, you'll find songs that describe your life and beliefs...that is, if you like traditional country music. Dierks Bentley's MODERN DAY DRIFTER is a great TRADITIONAL country album. No sophomore blues in sight...the only blues here are the ones you can drink to (and sing about).

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new singer added to my favorites list, July 5, 2006

By	Roy D. Roach (Lockhart, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this album blindly. What I mean is I bought it because I'd heard one or two songs on the radio from it that I liked. I do that sometimes-if an artist has two or three songs I like, I usually buy that album because I know the rest of the songs will most likely be just as good. This album is the same. I'd heard "A Lot Of Leavin' Left To Do" and "Come A Little Closer" on the radio and liked them. Then came "Settle For A Slowdown," which became an instant hit for me. I had to try this album, and I'm glad I did. It's a very good album with an equal amount of upbeat songs to ballads. Not to mention the very funny monologues in a few of the songs. Also, another gem on the album that was not released as a single (yet) is the title track, "Modern Day Drifter." It could very possibly be the best song on the album. Buy it, you'll love it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This boy can really sing--worth every penny!, May 19, 2005

By	Rachel - See all my reviews

I didn't buy Dierks' first CD, although I love all his songs that've been played on the radio. I decided to take the plunge and buy his newest CD and absolutely love it. This cute boy with the blonde curls can truly SING and is a pleasure to listen to. In addition, there is some great fiddling on this album. Although there ain't a song I don't like here, my favorites are "Come a Little Closer" and "So So Long." But the whole album is great--bravo to Mr. Bentley!