Megan Rüger-Rockstar

Broad Horizon Records
2016

Serving as her first recording of all original compositions, "Rockstar" is a brand new studio release from  Nashville, Tennessee' singer/songwriter (and one-time American Idol and The Voice contestant!) Megan Rüger. This well-produced EP features seven diverse songs which range from country to guitar rock and it shows off the amazing range of this former TV star. These songs include the title track and the two singles, "Red" and "Hey! Hey! It's Okay". Recorded and mixed by guitarist/keyboardist/programmer Jamey Perrenot (Taylor Swift / Leann Rimes), "Rockstar" starts things off with some good old fashioned pop rock in "Sorry, I'm Not Sorry" and then moves from country (the solid title track) to the Halestorm-like rock of "(Why Does Your Bad) Feel So Good"! From there you'll experience some splendid modern alternative rock in the form of "Again" (think Paramore) and then Megan return's to her roots with the country rock "White Flag". The previously-mentioned singles ("Red" and "Hey! Hey! It's Okay") close out "Rockstar" in grand fashion while further showcasing just how talented this spunky singer is! On the first single, "Red", Megan Rüger ends up channeling the heart and soul of Joan Jett as well as the wild spirit of the artist Pink!! With it's great rock and roll guitars and sweet alternative rock vibe it's a fun song that should get plenty of airplay if it's marketed correctly. Even if it isn't quite as strong as "Red", the same thing can be said of  the EP's last song, "Hey! Hey! It's Okay". Picking up where "Red" left off, "Hey! Hey! It's Okay" also sounds as if it had Pink in mind...or at least quirky personality.  More pop than rock, "Hey! Hey! It's Okay" offers yet another (positive) angle by which to judge this highly-versatile singer and it ends things in such a upbeat manor that you can't help but want to hear more! Now out on Broad Horizon Records, "Rockstar" is the sound of one legitimate artist that is actively seeking proper recognition in a field full of imitators and flat-out fakes. With any luck Megan Rüger will find true success....

Orianthi-Heaven in This Hell

Robo Records
2013

Let's face it, "According To You", Orianthi's 2009 hit single, is as much of a blessing as a curse. For as talented a guitarist as she is (and make no doubt about it she is insanely talented!) she just may end up getting stuck with that horrible tag "One Hit Wonder". Up front I will tell you there are no "hit singles" on Orianthi's 3rd studio album. Not that it matters. "According To You" might have brought her greater fame and notice, but this one-time lead guitarist for Alice Cooper (live) is far more then just a catchy single as this new album showcases. Produced by David Stewart (best known for his work with the Eurythmics) the new album fell into my hands thanks to my local library. I love being able to hear new rock and (some) metal albums with the swipe of my library card and have actually discovered some pretty sweet music this way (I first heard Black Tide's debut-album thanks to my library!). After checking it out on a whim, as I will admit that I dug "According To You" (I also liked her "Highly Strung" song which featured Steve Vai-both of which were on her second album, "Believe"), I threw this disc in while I drove around running errands. For what it's worth the album opens strong with some nice radio rock. Sadly though the album doesn't sustain the momentum. While there is nothing wrong with her wanting to branch out into country on this album (as well as blues) the material tends to be one-dimensional in nature. As she looks to adapt to country music and the blues she needs a slightly better co-writer to help her achieve the perfect balance between technical skill and memorable music. Since I secured a copy of this album for free I didn't feel like it had to meet any particular expectations but still, for a woman who was scheduled to be Michael Jackson's lead guitarist for "This Is It" concert series, it would really be something if she could translate her skills into a lengthy solo-career filled with classic albums. As five of these songs already came out on her 2011 EP, "Fire", I'd imagine hardline fans felt a bit cheated. Either way Orianthi is still a sign that women can be powerful and in-charge without selling out to cheap expectations. For that I admire her and hopefully, with time and a tighter group of musicians backing her, she will end up a household name for other reasons then just a hit single.