‘Voracious Love’ is Finnish slide guitarist Erja Lyytinen most personal album, as she presents 13 love songs (including a cover and a couple of co-writes) in the rock /blues format. Co-produced by guitarist/keyboard player Davide Floreno, she cleverly traces the hopes and disappointments of her protagonists via moments of deep blues and virtuoso playing that conjures up an array of colourful tones and riffs. For this is a blues guitar album that will satisfy fans on a number of different levels ranging from the heartfelt meaning of the songs to Erja trademark sizzling solos which help colour the lyrics and embrace real feel and clarity of expression. ‘Voracious Love’ is a passionate album by an artist who never content who to rest in her comfort zone. As Erja explains, ‘These stories are songs about situations where if we haven’t been in those situations ourselves, then we certainly known someone else who has’. ‘Voracious Love’ subtly shifts the focus from Erja’s intense solos to the core of the songs. Together with an excellent band and special guests Marco Hietala (Nightwish on vocals) and cellist Paavo Lotjonen (Apocalyptica) there are many highlights on an excellent contemporary blues album.
Pete Feenstra