Lyytinen, Erja: Another World

As a European Blues Award winner, guitarist and singer Erja Lyytinen already comes officially approved and with her accomplished work on her latest album, Another World, it’s not hard to hear why. Both producing and executive producing (although I’m not really sure of the distinction between the two), it’s also clear that this is a lady who knows exactly what she wants and how to get it. Apparently that’s an eclectic blues rock mix that bites in deep and makes a lasting impression, even if it can, on occasion, be just a little too wide in scope for its own good. The pushing, shoving, slide bonanza of “Wedding Day� finds Sonny Landreth adding his excellent slide guitar touch, which he also does on the closing and rather beautifully country flavoured “Break My Heart Gently�. With the latter especially highlighting the rather wonderful vocals Lyytinen has at her disposal when she aims for a more controlled, intimate delivery, it really is a winner.

Elsewhere the vocals can be ever so slightly less sure footed, opener “Snake In The Grass� not quite providing the punch behind the mic to match the bullish fret outbursts and roaming drums from Ipe Laitinen. However, the stinging sing of the guitar solo undoubtedly catches the ear as it surprisingly reminds of Steve Vai, while the clever little effects in the backing vox are engaging in the extreme. Jennifer Batten, best known for her live work with Michael Jackson, is the lady providing the guitar histrionics on this cut and it has to be said that she was a rather magnificent choice. It would be hugely unfair to Lyytinen, however, to focus too strongly on the guest slots, the slow chug of “Cherry Overdrive� hitting hard in its own right, while “Another World� adds an unexpected, but welcome 80s power ballad edge, where the keyboard layers and smooth chorus takes us assuredly into the world of Heart and their ilk. Although “Hard As Stone� can’t quite decide whether to follow down a similar path or move into the faux reggae of No Doubt and comes off the worse because of it.

If there’s one thing that’s not in doubt it’s that Erja Lyytinen sure can play the six string. This lady can also write some supremely impressive music and with Another World there are more than enough occasions where she does exactly that. From time to time the desire to add maybe one or two approaches too many can reduce this album’s overall impact, but that doesn’t stop it from being yet another worthy addition to an already brimming catalogue of delights.

Track Listing
1. Snake In The Grass
2. Cherry Overdrive
3. Another World
4. Hard As Stone
5. Wedding Day
6. Miracle
7. Torn
8. Break My Heart Gently

Added: May 19th 2019
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Erja Lyytinen online
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Language: english

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