Album Review
Smell the Roses
by
Erja Lyytinen
Album Review: Smell The Roses by Erja Lyytinen
In April, the Queen of Slide Guitar, Erja Lyytinen, returns to the U.K for a brace of live shows where she will undoubtedly once again enchant, amaze and delight anyone who loves beautifully played guitar, in particular aficionados of her stunning slide work.
Ms Lyytinen is becoming an increasingly regular visitor to these shores, this time around in support of her new opus “Smell the Roses”. And now having listened to the nine tracks on offer here many times, it’s quite obvious why she is held in such high-esteem by peers and fans alike. For let’s be clear “Smell the Roses” isn’t just a great Blues Rock album, no, it’s a great rock album full stop. True to her word, that she doesn’t want to make two albums the same, with “Smell the Roses”, the high-flying Finn has produced a sublimely diverse masterpiece with Blues firmly at its heart; however, it also really rocks, has moments of melancholy and bits of pop rock too, producing something altogether fresh and new.
And if you’re thinking, “nah, Blues, ain’t for me” then, please think again. In common with other modern contemporaries like Jared James Nichols, Erja Lyytinen does things her way, never sacrificing the Blues or forgetting the Rock. Most importantly, whilst she may be technically amazing, it’s the emotion and feelings that she is able to convey with her playing that makes her such a compelling and vibrant artist, and “Smell the Roses” such an essential listen.
The atmospheric title track gets things off to a rip-roaring start, an upfront vocal, highlighting Erja’s command not just of the guitar but of her voice as another instrument over which she has dominion. The haunting combination of voice and guitar in the chorus works perfectly, counterpointing and emphasising the drama of the song.
“Going to Hell” begins as an upbeat rocker with a bright swirling riff before taking us on a downwards trip descending to the underworld with the powerful verse, fabulously evocative lyrics (“They say that the blues is the tool of the devil, I'll play my way down to Hell to be on your level”) awash in shimmering Hammond-esque keyboards and Erja’s superlative storytelling. Then that that riff kicks back in lifting us from the Pit again for the chorus. It’s a hugely imaginative track that effortlessly moves between moods and tones, light and dark. I’m not sure if Erja’s solo comes from Heaven or Hell, but whichever it is, it’s otherworldly in its execution, exciting, inspiring and sure to be a thing of wonder on stage. If you’re going to Hell, Erja, then you won’t be alone, as after hearing this album in its entirety, we’ll all be by your side….
Latest single, “The Ring” meanwhile, blasts along with an almost metronomic guitar part reminiscent of a straight 12 bar blues with Erja blazing over an almost Quo-like riff. It’s as punchy and dynamic as the subject matter might suggest, all sharp slide jabs, lyrical hits and melodic left hooks. As a companion to “The Ring”, next song “Ball and Chain” is a harder and tougher rocker than you might expect, with an addictive almost poppy chorus, Erja’s slide runs adding piquancy to a song that’s already an ear-worm and one that you’ll find yourself coming back to time and again.
But it’s not all fast and upbeat, as the album closes with the epically tortured “Empty Hours”, which paints an eerie, haunting, desolate and dystopian picture. Erja’s delicate but piercingly beautiful slide guitar runs alongside the almost apocalyptic lyrics producing just enough emotion to make the hairs stand up on the back the neck, in a good way. It brings the curtain down on a hugely assured and confident release, that is sure to rank in many “best of the year” lists. It’s an album to be savoured and to discover its complexities for yourself, so do yourself a favour, listen to “Smell the Roses”, drown in some of the most sensational guitar you’re likely to hear this (or any other) year and let yourself be seduced by its undeniable charms. This may be labelled as a Blues album but ironically after listening to it, you’ll be left feeling anything but the Blues…
Erja Lyytinen’s new album “Smell The Roses” is released by Tuohi Records on March 28th and is available to pre-order from – https://erjalyytinen.com/smell-the-roses-preorder
You can check out videos for the first two singles here:
Smell The Roses https://youtu.be/lGcF_rSnwgs?si=IEsPnC8Dhj1bjuCB
The Ring https://youtu.be/YPzaZUpYICI?si=Coe7Ev8v6c8XgN4U
Erja tours the UK from April 2-13th. Album and tour info can be found at https://erjalyytinen.com