Rebel Rose, the debut album by Amarillo-based singer-songwriter Travis Roberts, showcases the up-and-down journey of Roberts’ life: growing up as a military brat, followed by substance abuse, getting clean at a treatment center, and writing music that is difficult to pigeonhole.
Talking about his music, Roberts says, “My music isn’t just strictly country; it’s a mishmash of punk rock, old country, rock and roll, blues and other influences.”
As the child of a military family, Roberts and his family moved a lot, finally ending up in Amarillo, Texas. Sundays found him singing in church. The other six days of the week, he listened to country artists like Waylon Jennings and George Strait. After his parents divorced, he learned guitar.
Then he drifted into drinking and drugs. Eventually, he got clean and sober, followed by scratching together enough money to record his songs, followed by signing with New West.
Encompassing 10 tracks, entry points on Rebel Rose include “Bellmarie,” a song vaguely reminiscent of Tom Petty crossed with Bruce Springsteen. Dirty guitars ride raw percussion, forging a persuasive melody topped by Roberts’ evocative vocals, at once tender and tough.
A straight-ahead rocker, “Ink Ain’t Dry” features gritty guitars highlighted by luminously accented, searing licks. Roberts shares, “I didn’t want to write this song or record it, but (producer) Dalton Domino pushed me to finish it out. It’s top three for me on the record now—just high-energy rock ’n’ roll. It feels like jumping off a bridge into river rapids.”
For some reason, the title track summons up memories of Hootie & The Blowfish gone alt-country. There’s a wistful easiness about the flow of the melody, and Roberts struts the range of his voice on this track.
“Minefields” blends country and pop-punk flavors into a driving tune that’s simultaneously visceral and punchy. A throbbing, low-slung bridge shifts the harmonics and then ramps up to gang-like vocals over oomphy energy.
A personal favorite because of its compelling, shimmering guitars and sensitive vocals, “I’ve Got Reasons” exudes see-through intimacy.
“Fake Magnolias,” a song about Roberts’ wife’s flower allergies, is, according to Roberts, “A Southern rock love song.” The song starts low and slowly builds to a scorching guitar and soaring vocals.
Compelling and stylistically wide-ranging, Rebel Rose is marked by approachable melodies, measured rhythms, and tasty vocals.
Check out his website here: https://www.travisrobertstx.com