Lil’ Blue
Self-Released, 2020
8/10
Formerly of The Accomplices, Matt Eckstine returns with his sophomore solo album, where his Laurel Canyon nods and influences from his stomping grounds of Georgia and South Carolina are very evident as he adjusts to home recording during quarantine.
“Part Of The Ride” starts the listen with a timeless Americana spirit as soulful harmonica enters the breezy and melodic landscape that even embraces honky tonk, and “Mahi-Mahi And Rice” follows with a rhythmically strummed guitar as playful folk ideas unfold.
In the middle, “This Heaven” flows with a gritty yet tuneful approach of country-pop inspired song craft, while the title track benefits greatly from percussion with plenty of rootsy flavor that sounds it could be played around a campfire. “Old Guitar”, one of the fullest tunes, then offers a lush display of alt-country that fans of Steve Earle will appreciate.
The last 2 songs keep the creative song craft intact, including the soft and dreamy acoustic folk song “Here They Stand”, and “Uku Mama” exits the listen with firm ukulele strumming in the Hawaiian spirited climate.
An artist whose approach brings to mind legends like John Prine and Tom Petty, if there’s any good to come from the pandemic, it’s that it’s allowing people like Matt Eckstine to really explore their songwriting prowess on fine records like this.
Travels well with: Last Year’s Man- Brave The Storm; Justin Farren- Pretty Free