There's nothing at all wrong with being a guitar hero, but sometimes a musician wants to show folks they can do more than spin off dazzling solos. The Marcus King Band has won a loyal following among guitar mavens, blues heads, and jam band enthusiasts for their agile blend of boogie rock and blues that gives King plenty of opportunity to express himself on guitar. But for his first solo effort, King has opted to try something different. 2020's El Dorado was produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, and he's helped King craft a change-of-pace effort that should appeal to folks unaware of his work with his band. This is a more song-oriented set than King has delivered in the past, with the lion's share of the tracks co-written by Auerbach, King, and a handful of noted Nashville tunesmiths. The material is rootsy but strongly melodic, and the lyrics pack a significant emotional punch. The blues are still a big part of King's sound here, but there's just as much smooth Southern soul laced with sophisticated country on El Dorado. Here King is accompanied by a band of top-shelf Music City session players, and the backing is effortlessly smooth while still maintaining an honest and heartfelt tone. Auerbach gives King plenty of space to strut his stuff on the six-string, but he's put a greater focus on King as a vocalist. His instrument isn't perfect, but he's a much better soul man than one might expect, with smart, powerful phrasing and good instincts for how to pull the most from the lyrics. El Dorado might not boast enough shredding for King's usual audience, but if their interest in roots music goes beyond barroom blues into vintage soul, they should find plenty to enjoy here, and he's a more capable vocalist than some would expect, making this worth a spin for listeners who enjoy modern-day soul. ~ Mark Deming