Heaven in This Hell

Orianthi's third studio album, 2013's Heaven in This Hell, finds the virtuoso guitarist and singer moving away from the melodic pop/rock of 2009's Believe and toward a more adult contemporary and modern blues-rock sound. Working with producer and Eurythmics co-founder Dave Stewart, Orianthi co-wrote all of the songs on Heaven in This Hell. Whereas last time, tracks like, "According to You" and "Bad News" brought to mind a harder rocking take on "Since You've Been Gone"-era Kelly Clarkson, here, cuts like the swampy blues of "Fire" and the Jimi Hendrix-esque "Frozen" play up more of Orianthi's strength as ballsy, guitar slinging rock chick. The closest Heaven in This Hell gets to Believe is on the infectious and anthemic "If U Think U Know Me," which sounds more Melissa Etheridge -- a comparison that would most likely appeal to Orianthi, based on the material she's showcasing here. Elsewhere, tracks like the soulful ballad "How Do You Sleep?" and the funky, R&B-inflected slow jam "How Does It Feel?" also showcase Orianthi's growth as a vocalist. This is a more gritty, less pop-oriented album than anything Orianthi has done before, and in that sense, it may appeal to an older, more rock-oriented audience. ~ Matt Collar