When country trio Midland (Mark Wystrach, Cameron Duddy, and Jess Carson) hit the country music scene in 2017, they introduced a unique sense of musicality; from their songwriting and eclectic attire to referencing of country music from the 70’s & 80’s. After the release of their chart topping, nominated single “Drinkin Problem” from the RIAA Platinum Certified album On The Rocks, the trio has taken country music by the horns.
With a number one album on Billboard’s Top Country Album Sales and its first single debuting at number one, the trio were inundated with praise and proclamations of having the best country album as well as their first GRAMMY nod for Best Country Song and Best Country Duo/Group. With that came an award for Vocal Duo of the year at the Academy of Country Music Awards in 2018.
Then in February 2019, Midland released “Mr. Lonely,” the first single off their latest album Let It Roll. Released on August 23rd, the sophomore album has set a precedence of greatness beyond its predecessor.
While it contains the same tales of traveling, booze, hook ups and breakups, Let It Roll has a more mature sound. Stylistically, there are hints of Tom Petty, Bryan Adams, and The Eagles with a wide array of songs from anthemic, bluesy boozy tunes to the heart-breaker ones, providing fans with an eclectic, but solid country album. Each track is stellar in vocals, songwriting, and production, but here are a few favorites.
The topic of life on the road pops up on a few tracks. “21st Century Honky Tonk American Band” is a rock & roll country tune about traveling from bar to bar and life on the road. A huge hit in the making, “Fourteen Gears” is the perfect country track. The steel guitar and creative lyrics that talk of life on the road make it easy to fall into this vision of one traveling home (Hear the Peterbilt whine / Down the solid white line / Don’t make no money if I don’t make it there on time / Houston, Dallas, San Antone / Wind it up until I’m home / I’ve got fourteen gears to get you back in my arms).
Being away from home gives way to lonely lyrics, and two songs in particular deal with the touchy subject of infidelity. “Cheatin’ Songs,” a track that’s musically reminiscent to the trio’s first hit “Drinkin’ Song,” tells of the little, and some not so little, details that lead to one’s suspicions that their partner isn’t being a loyal member of their relationship:
Another is the cleverly written is “Cheatin’ By The Rules.” The subtle piano intro transitions into a tune on how to cheat and the steps to take to avoid getting caught. It’s an example of lyrical genius in creating a vivid “rule book” (Don’t call me after 5 o’clock / Change my name in your phone / Pay cash for all our drinks / We don’t need those receipts / Followin’ us home / We both got somebody / We lost the fire for / That ain’t no reason to treat ‘em cruel / We’re gonna keep on leadin’ / Keep this secret that we’re keepin’ / We’re cheatin’ by the rules).
But the guys are helpless romantics too, as “Lost In The Night” proves. The raspy, breathy voice of Duddy shines on “Lost In The Night,” helping create a romantic atmosphere that’s easy to get lost in. A wonderful, unexpected sax solo helps pull in the listener’s attention (California sunset / You walked in the bar / I lit your cigarette / Do you remember dancin’ at the Holiday Inn / Your fingers through my belt loops, and my lips on your skin / Shootin’ stars and satellites / Shinin’ down on you and I)
Closing out the album is “Roll Away,” a soothing “setting the gear to cruise control” track as Carson’s vocals provide the soundtrack for the hit the road, windows rolled down, vibe.
Let It Roll is a genuine continuance of its predecessor, but from a songwriting and production standpoint it lands steps above with the potential of having multiple hits.
LET IT ROLL Track List
- Let It Roll (Carson)
- Fourteen Gears (Carson, Wystrach, David Garza)
- Mr. Lonely (Carson, Duddy, Wystrach, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
- Cheatin’ Songs (Carson, Duddy, Wystrach, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
- Put The Hurt On Me (Carson, Duddy, Wystrach, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
- I Love You, Goodbye (Carson, Duddy, Wystrach, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
- Every Song’s A Drinkin’ Song (Carson, Duddy, Wystrach, Liz Rose, Jeremy Spillman)
- 21st Century Honky Tonk American Band (Carson, Duddy, Wystrach, Rhett Akins, Bob DiPiero)
- Fast Hearts And Slow Towns (Carson, Duddy, Marv Green, Jon Nite)
- Cheatin’ By The Rules (Carson, Duddy, Wystrach, Rhett Akins, Bob DiPiero)
- Playboys (Carson, Duddy, Wystrach, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
- Lost In The Night (Carson, Duddy, Wystrach, Marv Green, JT Harding)
- Gettin’ The Feel (Carson)
- Roll Away (Carson, Duddy, Wystrach, Mandolin Saenz)
For information on the band, visit: www.midlandofficial.com and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Let It Roll is available on all streaming services.