Eddie Roberts & The Lucky Strokes
Color Red, 2023
8/10
Listen to Eddie Roberts & The Lucky Strokes
Perhaps best known as the guitarist and leader of The New Mastersounds, Eddie Roberts aligns himself with the Southern Rock outfit The Lucky Strokes, who help inject plenty of funk into this debut album.
The frisky and soulful “Whiskey Makes Me Stronger” opens with Shelby Kemp’s powerful voice alongside Roberts’ spirited guitar playing, and “Sweet Dreams” follows with Taylor Galbraith’s fluid drumming suiting the soothing vocal harmonies of the rich climate.
In the middle, the rugged yet melodic “Grits Ain’t Groceries” benefits much from Ashley Galbraith’s playful bass amid Kemp’s rugged pipes, while “Good Morning Lady” gets intimate and pretty thanks to the heartfelt singing and subdued instrumentation.
Landing near the end, “Home Sweet Home” has southern influences all over it, where thick guitars complement the dynamic rhythm section, and “If That’s Your Idea Of Lovin’ (Move It Along)” carries some retro-rock flavor to the driving pace of bluesy ideas.
An ideal listen for those with an ear for funk, blues, soul and rock from the lower part of the United States, each track here is expertly crafted and delivered with no shortage of riffs and scrappy melodies.
Travels well with: Alex Dunn- Southern Star; Floki Sessions- Boots In Place