Rating: NNN
Gypsy Child, off of Lindi Ortega’s third album, sounds like an homage to Loretta Lynn. Except instead of hollering about being a coal miner’s daughter, Ortega’s formidable pipes tell the tale of moving from Toronto to Nashville to pursue a career in music – no doubt just as autobiographical, but not nearly as intriguing.
A number of the songs on Tin Star are similarly preoccupied with fitting into Nashville’s overcrowded scene, including the title track dedicated to struggling musicians and a song called All These Cats that sounds, well, catty.
Ortega is more convincing when she leaves the music biz out: opening track Hard As This is a well-written frustrated love song, Voodoo Mama chugs along with force, speed and powerful, nearly out-of-control vocals, while Something For You showcases the songwriter’s more soulful, vulnerable side.
Top track: Something For You
Lindi Ortega plays the Great Hall October 24.