Midland’s Debut Album ‘On The Rocks’ Delivers Retro Sound, Storytelling Songs

One could say it was fate that had Mark Wystrach, Cameron Duddy and Jess Carson attend the same wedding in Jackson Hole, WY. Soon after, the trio from Dripping Springs, TX formed Midland – the fast rising country group who don 70’s attire, have a cowboy twang like that of Dwight Yoakam, George Strait, and Alan Jackson, but croon with harmonies like The Eagles. 

While each member previously had his own profession, they all shared an interest in music, writing and singing.  Lead vocalist Wystrach performed with other bands and worked as a model and an actor, including a stint on the soap opera Passions.  Duddy (bass, background vocals) was a music video director who co-directed with Bruno Mars on “Locked Out of Heaven“ and later directed Midland’s own video for “Drinkin’ Problem.” Rounding out the band is Carson, a songwriter, singer and guitar player.

Once set, the trio began writing songs together. According to the bio on their website, Midland’s approach was to “write with a very visual storytelling approach”, eventually naming themselves after Dwight Yoakam’s “Fair To Midland” tune.  They made their presence in the country music industry known with their RIAA Certified Gold debut single “Drinkin’ Problem,” which reached the top 5 on Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart and earned the group a nomination for CMT Group Video of the Year.

Midland’s debut album, On The Rocks, was released on September 22, 2017. A great mix of stories from life on the road to life of hard working people, the album showcases the traditional country/Eagles style referenced above as well as up-tempo numbers that are the basic toe tapping kind.  Current single “Make A Little” – which was co-written by Midland, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne – is a quick step, toe tapping number with steel guitar and excellent harmonies that showcase Wystrach’s higher range.  It centers on taking the time to spend with your love…plain and simple.  Cleverly written lyrics makes one forget about life for awhile and take the time to “make a little…whatever you want to”:

So we should make a little, Conjugate a little
Maybe even make the world a better place a little
Yeah girl there’s just not enough love in this world

With several uptempo songs where the steel is heavy and the harmony is fine, things slow down a bit on the seventh track “More Than A Fever.” Another co-write by Midland, McAnally, and Osborne, “More Than A Fever” is a visionary night of passion – a song made picture perfect with creative lyrics like:

The way you’re lookin’ girl, you know got me
Wrapped around your finger and your body
More than just a passin’ fascination
Set me blazing, when I felt it
Your hands all over me like they were velvet
There’s no way to temper this desire, I’m on fire tonight

More than a fever
Girl, you’ve got the red line on the rise
More than a fever
And I don’t wanna break it tonight

Along with traditional country numbers and ballads, the trio have implemented a few ditties in their repertoire that are creative both lyrically and musically, with each having their own vibe. “Check Cashin’ Country,” written solely by Jess Carson, has that true country vibe with the subtle twang of background vocals, but is mixed with a rock edge based on the guitar riffs.  The song’s clever lyrics detail the traveling musicians woes: no crowds + no money = no success:

It goes T for Texas and Tennessee
We got miles to cover and places to be
If y’all don’t two-step, then we don’t eat
Sure ain’t out here for the money

This ain’t check Cashin’ country
Ain’t check cashin’ country
Country, Country, ohh

“Altitude Adjustment,” co-written by Midland, Rhett Akins and Rodney Clawson, has the traditional country feel but firmly leans towards the sounds of The Eagles.  The flow and the harmonies truly shine in this quirky perfection of metaphors.  When feeling stifled by big city life, one might feel the need to escape to clear their mind, body, & soul – metaphorically speaking:

I need an altitude adjustment
Get higher and higher till I feel nothing
Cold mountain air and good clean loving
I need an altitude adjustment
I wanna feel just like John Denver
All of my worries, I can’t remember
Mountain border, I won’t get busted
I need an altitude adjustment

Perfect for live shows, this upbeat number will have crowds standing on their feet.

The thirteen tracks off On the Rocks offer an array of traditional country music and are made for easy listening.  With already one RIAA Gold hit in “Drinkin’ Problem”, newest single “Make A Little” becoming the most added song on playlists from coast-to-coast for two weeks, and the album recently earning a number one spot on Billboard’s Top Country Album Sales Chart, this trio is a hot commodity these days.

For more information on Midland, including tour dates and music, visit: www.midlandofficial.com.

On The Rocks Track List:

1. Lonely For You – Midland, Rhett Akins, Josh Osborne
2. Make A Little – Midland, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
3. Drinkin’ Problem – Midland, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
4. At Least You Cried – Midland, Jonathan Singleton
5. Burnout – Midland, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
6. Out of Sight – Midland, Shane McAnally, Luke Laird
7. More Than a Fever – Midland, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
8. Check Cashin’ Country – Jess Carson
9. Nothin’ Under The Neon – Midland, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
10. This Old Heart – Mark Wystrach, Jess Carson, David Lee Murphy, Jonathan Singleton
11. Altitude Adjustment – Midland, Rhett Akins, Rodney Clawson
12. Electric Rodeo – Midland, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
13. Somewhere On The Wind – Midland, Rhett Akins, Josh Osborne