'Rollercoaster' new album from mid-Missouri's Dirt Road Addiction blends country, rock
PB Wilson and the members of Dirt Road Addiction want to lead listeners on a "rollercoaster" ride with their new record "The G&G Sessions," the singer-guitarist said.
Up, up, up with hard-charging country tracks, then diving down into the deeps of a power ballad. Arena-rock guitars take you along a winding loop before the band turns its sound upside down, flipping the script again.
The album, out this week, is designed to mirror the Sedalia-based band's live show. Its current lineup — which includes Michael Bowman (drums), Kevin Ditzfield (guitar), Riley Jelinek (guitar) and Chris Clark (bass) — is two years strong, but Dirt Road Addiction began about seven years ago as a cover band, Wilson said.
Those early shows united classic country, pop and heavier forms of rock, Wilson said, with a premium placed on the element of surprise. The band wanted to keep audiences on their collective toes, unable to predict the next song on the setlist.
"When we started doing original music, we wanted to capture that a little bit — you know, change it up and surprise people about what the next thing is," he said.
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The Dirt Road Addiction sound owes a debt to influences ranging from rockers like Red Hot Chili Peppers to country-leaning outfits Brothers Osborne and Zac Brown Band, Wilson said.
The band certainly anchors itself to country music — which has earned Dirt Road Addiction slots supporting the likes of Tyler Rich, Lee Brice, Easton Corbin and Colt Ford. But, as "The G&G Sessions" exhibits, the band is willing to stretch.
"None of these songs sound the same," Wilson said.
Chasing a successful 2018 EP, the band's first full-length features a slate of road-tested songs. The band sneaks new material into its live set, then gauges the response, Wilson said. Some songs prove themselves keepers, while others have a shorter shelf life.
Here, a number of tracks stand out, leading the listener in the fashion Wilson and Co. intend. A song like "City Lights" opens with atmospheric electric guitar and an open groove, framing Wilson's resonant melodic phrasing.
Offering contrast, "How's This Sound?" moves forward on the strength of thick, arena-ready guitars and just the hint of a country-music accent.
An ode to Lake of the Ozarks, "Lake Time" riffs on the Don Williams classic "Tulsa Time," Wilson said. Starting with the sound of a beer can popping its top, the track establishes a swampy groove before opening the throttle, and opening into an all-out country rambler. Jelinek's solo bends notes into something ringing yet raucous.
Elsewhere, "She's Gone" is a textbook country ballad that should inspire listeners to raise a few lighters — or their phones.
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Throughout, Wilson's voice rings with a clear charm while the rest of the band pivots nimbly behind him. And while the country center holds, the band also evokes the likes of Journey on its more soaring, arena-rock material and 3 Doors Down when the textures grow heavier.
These songs emerged from pandemic years in which the band saw shows dry up, Wilson said. At times, he asked whether chasing music was still a worthwhile act.
As people continue showing up, and seem to select a new favorite song from the mix Dirt Road Addiction offers, that question has answered itself.
"It’s really just people coming to our shows and singing along to songs that they shouldn’t even know, in my mind," he said of the motivation which keeps him going.
Learn more about the band at https://www.dirtroadaddiction.com/.
Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@columbiatribune.com or by calling 573-815-1731. Find him on Twitter @aarikdanielsen.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Dirt Road Addiction rides 'rollercoaster' along country-rock tracks
