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Written by Marc Farr Saturday, 18 April 2015 14:11

As if her vocal talents were not enough to blow you away, Hart penned every song on the album, showcasing herself as a master songcrafter.

 

 

A fiery talent has emerged on the horizon, and her name is Beth Hart. If you have not had the distinct pleasure of hearing her new CD, Better than Home, you have no idea what you are missing.

Better than Home features some of the best songwriting and vocals I have heard in many a moon. More than just another bluesy rock singer, Hart is a strong talent, as evidenced by this release. Going from a raspy hale to a full-throttle delivery, dripping in vibrato and a beautiful tone, she possesses pipes worthy of the highest praise. Shades of Janis Joplin, Stevie Nicks, and the most obvious, Melissa Etheridge, evoke a sea of emotions wound up in the melody.

As if her vocal talents were not enough to blow you away, Hart penned every song on the album, showcasing herself as a master songcrafter. The production of Rob Mathes and Michael Stevens is understated and professional, while not being too sleek. The ambiance created here is melancholy, yet highly enjoyable. Soulful and inspiring, this kind of talent does not come around very often.

While comparisons to the above-mentioned vocalists are well to be expected, this is certainly not Melissa 2.0; rather, it is songs of a broken heart for a new generation. Hart has everything needed to be a star of the highest caliber. While I highlight certain tracks here, it would be unfair to pick this album apart into pieces when, in its entirety, it is a most welcome journey. Spotlight tracks include the album opener, “Might as Well Smile,” a sad track in a happy-ish package, “Tell ‘Em to Hold On,” and “Mechanical Heart,” a syncopated ode to heartbreak.

Overall, this is one hell of an album, lusciously performed and produced. Remember the name Beth Hart: You’ll be hearing more from her rather soon. A | Marc Farr