Description
Dierks Bentley – Riser – Vinyl Record
Released on February 25, 2014, Riser marked a deeply personal turning point in Dierks Bentley’s career, reflecting a period of loss, growth, and emotional transformation. Coming off the success of his bluegrass-influenced 2010 album Up on the Ridge and the more radio-friendly Home (2012), Riser blended Bentley’s traditional country roots with modern country production, creating an album that was both deeply introspective and commercially accessible.
Riser balances soulful ballads, uplifting anthems, and stadium-ready country-rock. The production, handled by Ross Copperman, leans into rich storytelling, sweeping melodies, and a mix of acoustic and electric instrumentation. The album’s introspective nature was shaped by the passing of Bentley’s father and the birth of his son, giving it a more vulnerable, reflective tone than his previous records.
The album’s biggest hit, “Drunk on a Plane”, became one of Bentley’s most recognizable songs, mixing humor with heartbreak as the narrator deals with a failed wedding and a lonely honeymoon-turned-party on a flight. While this track leaned into Bentley’s fun, carefree side, the album’s deeper cuts—like “I Hold On”, a song about faith, love, and resilience—highlighted his personal and emotional depth. The title track, Riser, is one of Bentley’s most powerful songs, an anthem about perseverance in the face of struggle, resonating with fans who connected to its themes of survival and strength.
Other standout tracks include Say You Do, a haunting ballad about longing for a past love, and Bourbon in Kentucky, a darker, brooding song about heartbreak that showcased a more vulnerable side of Bentley. Meanwhile, Back Porch and Sounds of Summer provided the kind of breezy, feel-good country anthems that Bentley had become known for, balancing out the album’s heavier emotional moments.
Riser was met with critical and commercial success, debuting at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart. The album solidified Bentley’s reputation as one of country’s most consistent and versatile artists, capable of delivering both party anthems and deeply personal storytelling. It also won him widespread industry recognition, including a CMA nomination for Album of the Year.
Riser stands as one of Bentley’s most defining albums, capturing a moment of transition in his life and career. It remains a fan favorite, blending heartfelt storytelling with infectious country melodies, proving that Bentley could balance raw emotion with mainstream appeal like few in modern country music.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic sealed
Track Listing
Bourbon In Kentucky Backing Vocals – Kacey Musgraves
Say You Do
I Hold On
Pretty Girls
Here On Earth
Drunk On A Plane
Five
Riser
Sounds of Summer
Damn These Dreams
Back Porch
Hurt Somebody
