On the Rocks (Midland album) explained
On the Rocks is the debut studio album by American country music band Midland. It was released on September 22, 2017 via Big Machine Records.[1] In 2019 it was certified Gold by RIAA for selling 500,000 units.
Content
The album features 13 songs, featuring the singles "Drinkin' Problem", "Make a Little", and "Burn Out". All songs written by band members on album. Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally, and Dann Huff served as producers.
Critical reception
Allmusic reviewer Stephen Thomas Erlewine rated the album 4 out of 5 stars, comparing its sound favorably to Alabama and Dwight Yoakam. He also stated that "the three members construct sturdy songs with a shimmering surface to match."[2] Chris Richards of The Washington Post described the album as "the year's best country album".[3] Exclaim! writer Marlo Ashley gave the album a 9 out of 10, comparing "Lonely For You Only" to Sonny James. She also called the album "charming".[4]
Commercial performance
The album debuted at No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart, selling 17,000 copies (20,000 units including streams and tracks) in the first week.[5] It has sold 112,500 copies in the United States as of March 2019.[6] In November 2019 it was certified Gold by RIAA for selling 500,000 units.[7]
Personnel
Adapted from On the Rocks liner notes.[8]
- Midland
- Jess Carson - acoustic guitar (all tracks), background vocals (all tracks)
- Cameron Duddy - bass guitar (all tracks), background vocals (all tracks)
- Mark Wystrach - lead vocals (all tracks)
- Additional musicians
- Vinnie Ciesielski - trumpet (track 4)
- Dan Dugmore - steel guitar (tracks 3, 8, 9, 12)
- Ian Fitchuk - piano (tracks 3, 9)
- Paul Franklin - steel guitar (tracks 1–7, 9-11, 13), steel guitar solo (track 3)
- Dann Huff - acoustic guitar (tracks 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12), electric guitar (all tracks except 12), guitar solo (tracks 6, 8, 9), gut string guitar (track 1), 12-string acoustic guitar (track 3), wire choir guitar solo (track 10), high-strung guitar (track 12), ganjo (track 13), mandolin (tracks 2, 8), Hammond B-3 organ (track 3)
- David Huff - tambourine (track 1), percussion (tracks 2, 6, 7, 13)
- Charlie Judge - accordion (track 13), keyboards (tracks 1, 2, 4-13)
- Rob McNelley - electric guitar (tracks 9, 12)
- Gordon Mote - piano (track 10)
- Greg Morrow - drums (all tracks), percussion (track 7)
- Danny Rader - acoustic guitar (track 3), mandolin (track 3), bouzouki (track 3)
- Mickey Raphael - echo harp (track 7), harmonica (track 13)
- Ilya Toshinsky - acoustic guitar (track 12)
- Derek Wells - electric guitar (except track 12), guitar solo (tracks 2, 11, 12), 12-string electric guitar (track 12), baritone guitar (track 12)
- Technical
- Ryan Gore - recording (track 9)
- Dann Huff - producer
- David Huff - digital editing (except track 3)
- Steve Marcontonio - recording (except track 3)
- Shane McAnally - producer
- Andrew Mendelson - mastering
- Seth Morton - recording (track 3)
- Sean Neff - digital editing (track 3)
- Justin Niebank - recording (track 3), mixing
- Josh Osborne - producer
- Chris Small - digital editing (except track 3)
Charts
Year-end charts
Singles
Notes
Notes and References
- http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/country/7841890/midland-album-details-release-date-video-interview "Midland's New Album: Release Date & Details | Billboard" 6/23/2017 by Taylor Weatherby
- Web site: On the Rocks review. Erlewine. Stephen Thomas. Allmusic. 24 September 2017.
- News: An underwear model and his pals just dropped the year's best country album . September 28, 2017 . Chris . Richards . Washington Post .
- Web site: Midland On the Rocks. Ashley. Marlo. September 20, 2017. Exclaim!. January 2, 2018.
- 'Pretty' Good: Kenny Chesney Scores 28th Country Airplay No. 1; Midland, Home Free And Chris Janson Make Top 10 Debuts On Country Albums. October 3, 2017 . Jim . Asker . Billboard .
- News: Top 10 Country Albums: March 5, 2019. Matt. Bjorke. March 5, 2019. Roughstock. April 13, 2019.
- United States. Midland. On the Rocks. November 12, 2019. December 13, 2020.
- On the Rocks . Midland . 2017 . CD backing card . Big Machine Records . BMRML0100H.
- Top Country Albums – Year-End 2017. Billboard. December 5, 2021.
- Top Country Albums – Year-End 2018. Billboard. July 11, 2020.
- Top Country Albums – Year-End 2019. Billboard. July 11, 2020.
- Midland – Chart history (Country Songs). Billboard. April 17, 2018.
- Midland – Chart history (Country Airplay). Billboard. April 17, 2018.
- Billboard Hot 100 results for Midland. Billboard. September 4, 2017.
- Midland – Chart history Canadian Hot 100. Billboard.
- Canada Country results for Midland. Billboard. September 4, 2017.
- News: Top 30 Digital Country Singles: April 30, 2018 . Roughstock. Bjorke. Matt. April 30, 2018 . April 30, 2018 .
