PHOTW-Orianthi–According to You

In the fall of 2008, I wrote an article about how music had changed in the previous ten years (since 1997).    To summarize, the changes were:  1.  Lyrics are much more R-rated, both in subject matter and “bad words”.  2. More prominent themes of Money and Self-actualization.  3. Vocal virtuosity is more important than it has been since the 40’s.   4.  Rap is more musical.  5.  Rock and roll is still around.

To comment on the above changes, Country is cool again, vocal virtuosity is less prominent, and baritone male voices are more prominent.  Heavy Metal occasionally gets a spot on the charts (Three Day’s Grace’s Break, Godsmack’s Cryin’ Like a Bitch) . The themes of Money and Self-Actualization have subsided a bit, although they are still there (both are present in Kevin Rudolf’s “I Made It (Cash Money Heroes).”  New themes include:  Party-time (Tik-Tok, Party in the U.S.A., Shots), Sexual Prowess (Neighbor’s Know My Name, Sex Therapy, I Invented Sex); and, most encouraging, the earthquake in Haiti has prompted several Charity songs, most notably Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour) and last week’s Pick Hit Of The Week, We Are the World 2010.

The reason why I’m bringing all this up now, is to highlight the most exciting musical trend of the last couple years:  Electric guitar is back with a vengeance.  More and more of the new songs–from all genres–that come out each week since the beginning of the year have featured an electric guitar solo.  When Lil Wayne released his “Rebirth” album in February, three or four of the songs were flash hits (i.e., on the charts for one week only, due to download demand) and all of those featured an electric guitar somewhere in the song.  Featured, I say, as opposed just having it there in the background.

Orianthi is already being recognized as the best guitarist of her generation.  Granted, her generation so far does not have a lot of competition, but she was good enough to be selected as Michael Jackson’s lead guitarist for the This Is It tour.  She turned 25 last January.  This song, According to You, was the song that led the charge for Electric Guitar.   First time I heard it (early December, 2009), I thought, Wow, that’s the best electric guitar I’ve heard since Santana’s Into The Night (early 2008).  But Santana’s hit was an isolated incident, something only he could pull off, because he’s Carlos Santana.  But Orianthi has started a trend.  I hope it lasts a good long time.