Flashes of slithery guitar and quicksilver riffs saturate this debut from veteran gunslinger Brad Rice, but what stands out are the songs. Currently touring with Lost Highway artist Tift Merritt, Rice anchored Ryan Adams’ best backing band from 2001 through 2003. He also played on the Whiskeytown album Pneumonia, and both albums by honky-tonk rockers the Backsliders.
Wisely, Karma Bed is not a vanity project further showcasing Rice’s piercing guitar solos, though he did play every instrument but drums. Instead, the disc’s eleven tracks adhere to a pulsing, rootsy, mildly psychedelic vibe that frames Rice’s original songs, including two co-written with Steve Wynn. (“Younger”, the most raucous cut, also appeared on the recent Wynn tribute album Man Of Mystery.)
Rice’s voice shifts between an airy croon on “Stay Beautiful” and “Fall Away” to an acidic shout on “Testify” and “Younger”. On guitar, Rice fires off sinewy leads, barking slide riffs, atmospheric plucking and gutbucket blues.
The last song’s title, “Fat $20 Blues…Slight Return” references Jimi Hendrix; Rice’s playing suggests Jimi’s in spirit, but not rote imitation. Karma finally came around on Rice; he reaped an excellent album from all the great rock ‘n’ roll he’s sown.