Feel That Fire (2009)

Image credit: Jim Wright

Fired Up: Dierks Bentley ignites on his new CD Feel That Fire

Dierks Bentley made his name as the drifter type, but lovin' and leavin' can't last. On Feel That Fire he's found the midpoint between mirth and mope, as characteristic country barn-burners like the screw-it-'n'-drink sing-along of ''Sideways'' mingle with themes of faith and fidelity to generate his most complete album yet. Credit Bentley's broad, crackly baritone, a voice that can do sentimental — as on richly arranged mash note ''You Hold Me Together'' — without losing an ounce of its outlaw energy. When this guy sings it, maturity doesn't sound so bad. A–

Download This: Listen to the song ''You Hold Me Together'' on the singer's MySpace