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Album Review: Dierks Bentley - Riser

It’s not the hit-laden album the label probably wanted, but his middle-age break-up sense of mourning makes it one of his best.

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After seven albums of rousing the country faithful Dierks Bentley is suddenly very reflective. Picking up on what previous album, Home, hinted at, Bentley gets contemplative with Bourbon In Kentucky, I Hold On and Riser – songs about whiskey and trucks that convey the struggles of the lonely human experience. Jumped-up efforts like Drunk On A Plane aren't as passionate as they once were; Bentley misses his family too much to convince us he's ready to party. It's not the hit-laden album the label probably wanted, but his middle-age break-up sense of mourning makes it one of his best.