Search - Dierks Bentley :: Up on the Ridge

About damn time...

DanD | 06/11/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I eagerly bought and listened to Dierks Bentley's first three albums. They were different than everything else on the radio; true, he was pretty much following the formula set down by Waylon Jennings (and even lifted a few of Waylon's rhythms), but it was still a nice change from the regular mainstream pace. And then Bentley kind of petered out; MODERN DAY DRIFTER and LONG TRIP ALONE just weren't as good as his debut, even if they featured a handful of amazing songs.



That's why I didn't really pay attention when Bentley released a new album (I completely ignored his last couple). Yet, when I began listening to the tracks and discovered that it was a bluegrass album, I bought it. I'm all for mainstream singers cutting loose Nashville's chains and doing what they want (I'm waiting for the day Toby Keith decides to give radio the finger...still waiting...I should probably give up...). UP ON THE RIDGE is, at its heart, a bluegrass concept album, filled with minor-key songs about love and life. Some have decidedly upbeat lyrics ("Fiddlin' Around"), and some use up-tempo melodies to convey not-so-happy lyrics ("You're Dead to Me" and "Bad Angel"). Yet this is not a feel-good album; it's an album by a man not quite happy with his musical surroundings (Bentley hasn't had a genuine hit in a few years, I don't think), who has decided to play outside radio. RIDGE won't have much radio success; in this day and age of hick anthems, blindly patriotic lyrics, and bubblegum pop sensibilities, country music has turned its bearded cheek to bluegrass. So be it; quite a few of us don't even bother turning the radio on anymore (God bless satellite radio, though).



Bentley is joined by a few compatriots, notably from outside mainstream country: Del McCoury, Chris Thile, the Punch Brothers, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Kris Kristofferson, Vince Gill, and producer/songwriter Jon Randall. Some of the material here is top notch: Bentley shines on Kristofferson's darkly humorous "From the Battle to the Bottom," even if he doesn't capture the original's whimsy (and Kristofferson, unfortunately, is not in top form voice-wise, though he's still a welcome addition); "Down in the Mine" is a hauntingly beautiful tune; "Bad Angel" features engaging performances by Lambert and Johnson, two of the few reasons to actually listen to contemporary country music. Some other songs are solid, if not among Bentley's best, and while Bob Dylan's "Senor" is a wonderful skeptic's tune, it doesn't quite fit Bentley or the album (it's more Chris Thile's territory, which is probably why he sings on it).



Overall, UP ON THE RIDGE is a solid album from a man who's finally doing what he wants (again; I still say his debut album was a fine example of classic-style country music). It won't sell as well as his previous records, and it won't overwhelm radio with any hits, and casual fans who expect the usual mainstream affair will be turned off. But those of us who appreciate high-caliber music with genuine soul, music that comes from an old, deep place that is never mined out, will rejoice at the album. It's not a classic, and it has its weak spots, but it's still a fine return to form for Dierks Bentley, who's still one of the more promising country artists out there."

This is as good as it gets

Terry Mathews | a small town in east Texas | 06/08/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Got my hands on a copy of the CD this morning.



My goodness ... this is good.



Takes a lot of courage to step away from "them that brung ya" to the dance, but by taking a break from his pop-infused country and making friends with some blazing bluegrass, Bentley proves he's more than just a pretty face. He co-wrote 5 of the tunes, including the title cut and my favorite, "Draw Me A Map." He also covers Dyan and Kristofferson, with a little Verlon Thompson thrown in for good measure.



Alison Krauss, Kristofferson, Jamey Johnson and Miranda Lambert also make guest appearances.



This one will be in rotation on my CD and iPod for a long time to come. Look for "Up on the Ridge" to clean up at awards time.



Enjoy!"

Paddling away from the old mainstream

John Terry | Kansas City, Mo | 06/08/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dierks Bentley is a man with a dilemna. He got where he is today by more or less fitting comfortably on your country music radio dial. He was never a pretty boy in tailored "cowboy" clothes but he was undeniably sing along catchy. Well, it seems he's been harboring a desire to stretch out a bit and make an old timey, honest to goodness, country bluegrass album. What's a habitual top forty resident to do? You want a comparison to this album? Steve Earle's album "The Mountain" with the Del McCoury Band springs to mind. Maybe Ricky Skaggs back in the days when he was getting radio airplay and maintaining his country integrity. Well, Del never really got along with Steve because of his prickly attitude and salty language but he and Ronnie show "Up On The Ridge" to lend Dierks a hand and it's a match made in heaven. Del even contributes a killer vocal on "Pride In The Name Of Love". Yes, that "Pride In The Name Of Love". Trust me, it makes a great bluegrass tune. Whenever the McCourys aren't burning up the strings, there are stellar turns by Nickel Creek alumnus Chris Thile and The Punch Brothers, Tim O'Brien, Bryan Sutton, Allison Krauss, Sam Bush and Vince Gill. Oh wait, there's more. The reigning king and queen of outlaw country, Jamey Johnson and Miranda Lambert, accompany Dierks on "Bad Angel". Heck, Dierks may have used them as examples when he convinced Capitol Nashville that a real country album might actually get played on the radio. I'm not done yet. The greatest living songwriter of our time, Kris Kristofferson joins Dierks for a rendition of his very own "Bottle To The Bottom". The impressive things about this album is that Dierks is not overshadowed by his all star lineup. He co-wrote five of the songs and all the stellar hired help only serve to accentuate a whole bunch of positives that make up Dierks Bentley. This is guaranteed to be one of my top country albums of the year. Dierks, this is killer, dude!"