ORIANTHI
Unless your head has been stuck in the sand for the last few years then the name Orianthi should be familiar to you. As guitarist with Alice Cooper (and a brief stint with Michael Jackson) she has amassed an army of fans not only thanks to her looks but stunning ability as well. Watching her solo spot at Bloodstock Festival last year gave me goose bumps such was the quality of her playing. Of course, she is also a solo artist and ‘Heaven In This Hell’ is her third album. Recorded in Nashville and Hollywood and fantastically produced by Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) it is a commercial rock, country and blues gem; she has moved away from the more overtly pop style of her second album ‘Believe’ but this should still have massive crossover appeal and, if there is any justice, will propel Orianthi to even greater heights.
What you notice first, especially if not familiar with her solo work, is that she has a fantastic voice, especially for this type of music. Several times throughout she reminded me of a female Joe Bonamassa, thanks to her phrasing (listen to ‘Fire’ for an example), but the name which kept popping into my head was Alannah Myles and, funnily enough, early Michael Bolton (before he went all housewives favourite). What elevates ‘Heaven In This Hell’ way above other more commercial and catchy rock albums though is the quite blistering guitar work. Jesus wept can this girl play, her tone is sublime and the thought of seeing some of these songs played live is a mesmerising one. Within two spins you’ll be singing along to these tracks like they’ve always been there. ‘How Does That Feel’, ‘You Don’t Want To Know’, ‘Frozen’, ‘Filthy Blues’ and the title track could all quite easily be ‘hits’ and ‘How Do You Sleep’ is a quite beautiful ballad, but not one of them loses that underlying element of rock.
Orianthi is one of a rare breed. Not only does she write extremely catchy, rock songs, she has the looks to go with them and the talent to be able to actually play and sing them herself (unlike so many of her so called commercial peers). ‘Heaven In This Hell’ isn’t particularly original but when it’s done with this much passion, who cares!
What you notice first, especially if not familiar with her solo work, is that she has a fantastic voice, especially for this type of music. Several times throughout she reminded me of a female Joe Bonamassa, thanks to her phrasing (listen to ‘Fire’ for an example), but the name which kept popping into my head was Alannah Myles and, funnily enough, early Michael Bolton (before he went all housewives favourite). What elevates ‘Heaven In This Hell’ way above other more commercial and catchy rock albums though is the quite blistering guitar work. Jesus wept can this girl play, her tone is sublime and the thought of seeing some of these songs played live is a mesmerising one. Within two spins you’ll be singing along to these tracks like they’ve always been there. ‘How Does That Feel’, ‘You Don’t Want To Know’, ‘Frozen’, ‘Filthy Blues’ and the title track could all quite easily be ‘hits’ and ‘How Do You Sleep’ is a quite beautiful ballad, but not one of them loses that underlying element of rock.
Orianthi is one of a rare breed. Not only does she write extremely catchy, rock songs, she has the looks to go with them and the talent to be able to actually play and sing them herself (unlike so many of her so called commercial peers). ‘Heaven In This Hell’ isn’t particularly original but when it’s done with this much passion, who cares!
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Spinefarm Records
Album
HEAVEN IN THIS HELL
Review by Rick Tilley
RUNNING TIME:
39:40
RELEASE DATE:
11th March 2013
TRACK LISTING
1) Heaven in this Hell
2) You Don't Wanna Know
3) Fire
4) If You Think You Know Me
5) How Do You Sleep
6) Frozen
7) Rock
8) Another You
9) How Does That Feel
10) Filthy Blues
11) If You Were Here With Me
2) You Don't Wanna Know
3) Fire
4) If You Think You Know Me
5) How Do You Sleep
6) Frozen
7) Rock
8) Another You
9) How Does That Feel
10) Filthy Blues
11) If You Were Here With Me
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
Australia
"...she has moved away from the more overtly pop style of her second album ‘Believe’ but this should still have massive crossover appeal and, if there is any justice, will propel Orianthi to even greater heights."
