Believe: Int'l Edition

The problem with this cd is that those of us who have listened to "Violet Journey" got overcome with aural delight and were cynically afraid that anything, yes, little believers, anything, would fall short of that incredibly brilliant mark. In that sense this album did exactly that, fell short of the first. How short is matter of personal speculation. Yes, there are many outstanding moments on this cd. However, the first four songs, which for some inexplicable reason preferred increased gain and bass and voice over the guitar dynamics of one of the best young players in the world, should have been condensed to two cuts since they ALL SOUND ALIKE and are too damn loud to allow an accurate showcasing of Orianthi's talent. Sadly, the formula used is the SAME ONE used by every other band currently squatting on popularity charts. Some nice lyrics and gentle riffs, followed by Blitz and Glitz bass, an all volume gain and heightened yelling (possibly singing but who could tell.) Where, in all of that, is there any room for this girl's amazing guitar talent to be displayed?? Why in the world does that ability have to take a back seat to current pop music trends which are going stale and rigid from all the clones out there blasting away in the same manner? It is hoped that Orianthi's managers and sound people will go back and catch the depth of artistic and acoustic balance displayed on "Violet Journey". It is further wishfully anticipated that her next efforts will give us a blues-only album (electric and acoustic), a form for which she displayed such empathy and kick-ass multi-dimensional sound during an all too brief stint at the Crossroads Guitar Festival of 2007. The pending tragedy will be if these same decision maker geniuses decide to push the envelope of form over substance for this girl who is anything but a simple visual experience in any sense of the word. The music world does not need another POP DIVA looking and sounding like Britney Spears who happens to play guitar. The next album needs to acknowledge that fact in a huge way by emphasizing HER guitar PLAYING, while limiting the bass, gain and volume, thereby letting Orianthi's fully intense riffs speak for themselves.

Orianthi is somewhat of a confusing offering. She has looks, can sing, can write, and can definately play the guitar. But she does none of that fantasically well on it's own. She's is definately pretty enough to turn heads, but no Cindy Crawford. She can hold a note well, but she's no Mariah Carey. Her writing skills are budding, and she's showing potential, but she's no Tracy Chapman. And while she can definately play the guitar, she's no Steve Vai.What she is, is most probably the most complete package you'd ever find in a recording artiste today.Her album "Believe", is equally odd, considering her influences. For someone who grew up influences by the likes of Carlos Santana and Steve Vai, she churns out a pop album that's quite unlike her first one. Though it's not a bad pop album at that. It's catchy, easy to sing to, and makes you feel young. It's also probably an album concocted to gain market presence as quickly as possible, targeting the most mainstream of listeners. Yet the album sounds disjointed. There's so many styles of music in there, it's as if it was cobbled together hurriedly."Violet Journey", being Orianthi's first album, remains to this day a more mature approach to her music. Her Santana influences are extremely evident on that album, and it is also very well written. It is cohesive, and sounds like she took sometime off to seriously think about the album she wanted to create. With "Believe" she sounds like she took two steps backwards.I think this girl is off on the right track headed to more epic releases, but "Believe" is not one of them. It is an album meant to break into a new market for her, and to gain widespread acknowledgement and radio airplay. If you want a feel-good album just to enjoy and hum along to, then "Believe" would deliver that for sure.But if you want to hear Orianthi without the commercial bits, then "Violet Journey" is IT.I actually for one cannot wait for her next album to see what she delivers.

The cD case was broken probably in shipping but CD is great

I bought this originally for my 11 year old daughter who is starting to play guitar. Having been a armature guitarist who was in a couple bands during my younger years, I really appreciate good guitarist. As I listened to this, beyond some of the bubble gum lyrics, I spotted many influence of great guitarist in her style. Steve Via , of course, he even does a duet with her, but also Steve Morse, Eric Johnson and even I thought I caught a few Larry Carlton licks in there as well. I think its great to see a well rounded master female guitar player. There have been a few, but not many , and less even lately. Well, less real musicians who play instruments and play them well with the advent of electronic techno, samples and guitar hero. Glad to see her and hope she does well. And I have to thank her for inspiring my daughters guitar ambitions as well.

I thought this album was great! I understand where the negative reviews are coming from but I disagree. After watching her on Youtube and listening to her first album (I haven't yet but read the reviews) I can see where some people would be disappointed. I however am not one of those few. As much as I would love an album full of Blues riffs and shredding guitar I really think she's showing another side of her music capabilities. That is providing something for everyone with great melodies and catchy hooks while throwing in her amazing guitar abilities! She is an OUTSTANDING guitarist and has a surprisingly good voice. Lastly I can see how people would compare this album to Avril Lavigne with an edge and maybe even Kelly Clarkson but Carrie Underwood!!?? I don't see that comparison one bit! Carrie Underwood is a very good Country vocalist who thrives on pop/country ballads and mid-tempo songs. I have never heard a Carrie Underwood song with shredding guitar or any sense of a blues feel to it. Anyways I love the album and I can't wait for her next one!!

As I previously reviewed this album in its original cover and tracking list it is more or less the same. This is the same album and also referred to as "Believe ii (2)" with a slightly different tracking list, and the Red Hot Cover of Orianthi with a white plain boring background.She is a strong vocalists and a true master with the guitar as I said before. If you have seen Michael Jackson's "This Is It" footage, or have seen Orianthi with the Alice Cooper Shows, you know well this young lady can finger her way up and down the fret board.As a singer and song writer Orianthi can smack you in the face or make you feel loved, wanted and cared for. Though with two versions of this CD is it really her third album if you count both separate due to the new tracking list. Her first true solo album was "Violet Journey" is on the heavier rock side, going by other reviews. Then I believe, Believe has this more commercial side to it, but will still rock your socks off attitude in a over controlled way to push her centre stage with all the buzz surround Orianthi.In this male dominated genre it is hard for women to get a break and be excepted into the rock and roll business. Shame really as I am sure there are more great Lady artists out there that need that slice of the pie. Orianthi got very lucky with the failed Michael Jackson (RIP) O2 shows, but did wonders for her career in the end. Magical like a phoenix rising out of the ashes of death and soring higher that any note she can play on the guitar. Playing with the Coop, Richie Sambora, and Santana, Orianthi is doing the rounds as a guest with no problems.I can't wait for the next album and hopefully the record company will let her loose from the shackles, so she can really let herself go with a good producer in control to get the best from her style of playing. So that the corporate grip is loosened to let her shine and rip and shred on those G strings, and bring out the true vocalists that I think Orianthi is behind this current CD of Believe.

Orianthi came to fame as the guitarist for the ill fated Michael Jackson show for the London 02 concerts and you can see her featured on the DVD "This Is It".The covered edition you see here is the original first pressing and release of this CD (2009), and is the second solo release from her. The other second pressing version of this CD with the Red and White different posed Orianthi cover was released with a slightly different tracking list with the same title, but also referred to as Believe ii (2).Both versions of this CD is full of good to top notch pop rock songs, by a lighting fast guitarist with cool guitar riffs and vocals. She really is a very good talented young lady in rock these days for her youth.Her first solo CD (2007) "Violet Journey" is hard to get under the £15 to £20 mark if you can get a copy, and if you like what you hear, there is Orianthi's third solo CD (2013) "Heaven In This Hell" but with a slightly heavier rock style.As a side piece of information Orianthi has a track on the Bratz OST #8 Now or Never, and is also a featured guest with Michael Bolton on the CD "Ain.t No Mountain High Enough" track #11 Money (that's What I Want). She has also feat' with Carlos Santana and many others, just check out Youtube for videos and other live footage etc.

I really love this album, and I sincerely respect this girl for her skills, especially the guitar playing. TO be honest, my 12-year old daughter likes Avril Lavigne and this sounds a bit like it, except Orianthi is a formidable guitar player of the highest caliber, and she sings pretty well too. The songs are very catchy, poppy even, the heaviest being the duet with STeve Vai himself. I prefer this to her first solo album, which is also full of great stuff though - in any case you should buy both. I hope she soon gets the recognition she deserves. I saw her last year with ALice Cooper in concert, and I know she was rehearsing with Michael Jackson (and there she can give Van Halen a run for his money on the 6-string too). But she should be fronting, she can do it: play, write, sing, plus she is pretty. I hope she can one day make it big! In the mean time BUY THIS NOW.

I can't understand some of the reviews I have read on here so far, Some people need their hearing checking as she is mindblowingly good. Orianthi is one absolutely incredible guitar player, an outstanding singer and an bonus on top of all of that she is outstandingly beautiful as well.She can sing really really well and make all the songs on this album outstanding and her guitar play is mindblowing, I wish i could play the guiar as good as her. I like all the songs on the album especially the first song on it " According to you" which really gets your head bang.Watchout for this oustanding 25YO Aussie rock chick as I can see great things from her in the future and can't wait for future albums etc.

Got to agree with James above, what a breath of fresh air, and unlike some of the so called heavy metal screams from todays so called artists, this lady can sing and more to the point I can hear and understand every word rather than the vocals being drowned out by an overdriven heavily distorted guitarist. And they are addictive. Her guitar skills were never in doubt, a well mixed album to be enjoyed.