The album features a core lineup of Rick Knapp on bass, Michael Leasure on drums, and Sammy Avila on keyboards, alongside returning guests Skip Edwards, Rob Rio and Melvyn "Deacon" Jones.

[1] The album was first revealed in January 2012 as part of an announcement on Trout's official website of the final leg of the tour in promotion of 2010's Common Ground, in which it was teased that attendees at upcoming shows would be treated to a "Preview of the new songs".

[3] He identified early gospel blues musician Blind Willie Johnson as the "main inspiration" for the record, reflecting that "I wanted to feel [his music] at my back when we were cutting these songs.

"[3] In an interview with Jeb Wright of Classic Rock Revisited, Trout explained that "When I decided to write this album I wanted to be diverse", adding that "There are many ways you can do the genre of the Blues.

[4] Speaking about the lyrical themes of the album, Trout has suggested that "It sums up the thoughts and attitudes of somebody who is getting a little older and is feeling like he's a part of another era, with different values and a different perspective on life that's prevalent today.

[13] Also focusing on the album's songwriting, Larry Toering of the Music Street Journal wrote that "Some deep and very personal issues are covered [on Blues for the Modern Daze], and it makes things all the more intense and interesting".