Album: Modern Day Drifter, Released May 10, 2005
Two decades after its release, Modern Day Drifter still holds up as a defining moment in Dierks Bentley’s career. Released in May 2005, the album arrived at a time when country music was caught in a tug-of-war between pop-leaning crossover hits and traditional storytelling roots. Bentley’s sophomore effort managed to bridge the gap with remarkable balance. Delivering both radio-friendly singles and heartfelt ballads, all without losing the sincerity that has since become his trademark.
From the outset, Modern Day Drifter wears its influences proudly. The instrumentation leans into classic country twang—steel guitar and acoustic warmth—but it never feels dated. Tracks like “Lot of Leavin’ Left to Do” and “Cab of My Truck” embrace the roamer’s lifestyle with grit and charm, laying down a road-weary persona that fits Bentley perfectly. His voice is clear, strong, and refreshingly unpretentious. It cuts through each track with emotional honesty.
The album’s standout singles, “Come a Little Closer” and “Settle for a Slowdown,” both topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and remain fan favorites to this day. “Come a Little Closer” leans into sultry intimacy, showcasing Bentley’s knack for slower, more vulnerable songwriting. “Settle for a Slowdown,” meanwhile, captures the aching uncertainty of letting go, marrying wistfulness with melodic restraint. These two songs alone demonstrate the emotional range Bentley brought to the project—a far cry from the bombast of some of his more polished Nashville peers at the time.
Critics at the time appreciated Modern Day Drifter for its authenticity. Bentley wasn’t chasing trends or overproducing his sound. There’s a sense that the album reflects who he really was in 2005—an artist still shaping his identity but already grounded in something honest. While some reviewers noted that Bentley hadn’t fully carved out a distinctive musical niche just yet, they also recognized this album as a solid step in the right direction. Having listened to this album 20 years later, I can agree with that.
In hindsight, Modern Day Drifter helped solidify Dierks Bentley as more than a one-hit wonder. It showed that What Was I Thinkin’ from his debut wasn’t just lightning in a bottle; it was the start of something more enduring. The album also hinted at the deeper artistry he would later explore in albums like Up on the Ridge and The Mountain.
Twenty years on, Modern Day Drifter feels less like a time capsule and more like a quietly pivotal release. It’s a reminder of how good country music can be when it lets the storytelling lead and the production serve the song. For Bentley, it was the album that proved he was in it for the long haul. For listeners, it still offers a satisfying ride through the heart of modern country with a classic soul.
