Lets you know that there is a bright future for Melodic Rock/AOR and that it is in very safe hands - essential.
Ladies and Gentlemen, please allow me to introduce Lotta Lene; a young vocalist from Finland who I'm sure you will all be glad to get acquainted with because, after you get to hear her sing on her fabulous debut album 'Smoke And Mirrors', I suspect (just like me), you will also be smitten.
Lene, along with her fellow collaborator Jake Makela (who plays all the instruments), has, to my ears, made an album with some of the best Melodic Rock / AOR that has surfaced so far this year. Musically 'Smoke...' is of the highest quality and if you're a fan of wonderful female singers like Robin Beck, Darby Mills, Pat Benatar and Leigh Matty, then you could do little wrong in grabbing a copy of this album as soon as possible.
As soon as you press play, you be able to revel in a voice that has the depth, power and passion needed to carry Melodic Hard Rock to the highest of peaks and when this voice is joined with songs as strong as opener 'What I Want', which is all swagger and balls with a guitar solo to marvel at, you will soon find out for yourselves why I rate Lene so highly.
Lene and Makela then hit us with the stunning 'Seven Days' which brims with class and 'Stay', a song so beautifully arranged and performed by the two artists that each and every time I've played it, it has made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. The album also features 'Skin', a stylish take on Melodic AOR with a big "chip on the shoulder" attitude and an immense hook; this song just Rocks.
'Promises' is a romper-stomper of a song with some more great performances and a chorus that sticks like glue to your brain. The proceedings are closed out by 'Riding Shotgun' and 'Here And Now', the first a swaggering Bluesy workout with guts whilst the second is a Country-ish Rock ballad with some lovely guitar work. These two songs also provide solid evidence that Lene isn't just your straight ahead Melodic Rock singer, but instead one who is versatile and talented enough to change vocal styles to suit the mood of the songs she is singing.
'Smoke And Mirrors' is the kind of album that makes what I do for Fireworks & Rocktopia a joy; the kind of release that immediately makes you sit up and take notice. It also lets you know that there is a bright future for Melodic Rock / AOR and that it is in very safe hands; essential!
Ian Johnson
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