Review: Dorothy – The Way
Dorothy: The Way
Dorothy is an American rock band lead by front woman Dorothy Martin. She is the voice and image of the band, but the songwriting and production is a true band effort. Scott Stevens produced the album as well as played bass, drums, keys, and some guitar. Sam Koltun also plays guitar and the guitar giant, Slash, makes a guest appearance.
Dorothy plays an all-American brand of hard rock, metal, and even country influenced rock that drives home insanely catchy melodies and hooks making every song on the album a toe-tapping, neck snapping, sing-along. The guitars are huge and crunchy, the drums solid and loud and Dorothy Martin’s voice, well, let’s discuss that voice.
The best female rock singers are the voices that sound like no one else, the ones that are instantly recognizable by the first note you hear. Pat Benatar, Lizzy Hale, Ann Wilson, and Amy Lee all fit into this mold. Dorothy is another singer that has unparalleled power, grit, and emotion in her voice. She effortlessly hits the sweetest high-notes and the best hard-rock growl.
But without good songs, a great voice is lost. And this album, The Way, is a solid 10 song showcase without one skippable tune. The album offers everything from the soaring I Come Alive, the country-tinged Tombstone Town, the crunchy The Devil I Know, to the gorgeous title track.
But what is Dorothy doing in Heaven’s Metal? Much like Megadeth, Dorothy is not a “Christian” band and does sing songs of rebellion and the rock-and-roll lifestyle. But she is an avowed, born-again Christian and her world view makes its way into her music. Her testimony is one of a super-natural encounter with a super-natural God. Her faith journey has been an interesting one to follow as she is not shy about the miracles she has witnessed and the impact of the Holy Spirit on her life.
The spiritual imagery and references are peppered through out this latest release. Some examples…
The Devil I Know:
Help me, help me, father
I’m calling out your name
Forgive me for the damage
I cause when I’m in pain
I know I’m self destructive
And I know my heart can stray
Oh, help me, help me, father
I’m calling out your name
Bones:
I can’t run from the things I’ve done
And I won’t apologize for who I have become
Once down in the bottom of the bottle
Back then it was a matter of survival
But now I see how far I’ve come
I laid myself in the river
Washed those sins off me
Pulled myself from the bottom
Broke every chain on me
I walked through fire I walked alone
My heart won’t rest ’til my blood runs cold
I’m never, I’m never giving in
Unholy Water:
Another sinner with a homeless heart
Trying to find may way out through the dark
When I’m out of prayers I’m still kneeling
Walking on broken glass I’m bleeding
But I won’t let these demons get the best of me
I’ve been baptized in unholy water
I’ve been crucified for my beliefs
I lay my sins down at thе alter
I ain’t going down you ain’t gonna drown me
In your unholy water
Superhuman:
The hellhounds are chasing
The vultures are waiting
The demons are laughing at me
But hell is a liar
‘Cause you take me higher
Than I ever thought I could be
Rain down like fire from Heaven
Raised up by Amazing Grace
Standing on top of the mountain
Got me feeling superhuman
No, Dorothy did not write a theological treatise on salvation and sanctification; she did, however, write a collection of songs that explore addiction, mental health, relationships gone wrong, and her relationship with God. This platter is well produced, well paced, and well played. If you like good old-fashioned hard rock with a ton of attitude, Dorothy’s The Way is the album for you.
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