Terra Lightfoot’s sophomore album is filled with industrial-strength riffs as tough as the steel that makes her hometown of Hamilton famous. For a record rooted firmly in blues, it’s surprisingly ambitious but usually nails its targets, either with the crunchy high-voltage power of Lightfoot’s guitar work or her soulful pipes.
The album is a rock ‘n’ roll guitar fan’s wet dream, from the opening notes of swagger-heavy romp All Alone. A couple of songs later Lightfoot proves just how much she slays with the one-two punch of roller-coaster single Never Will and heart-wrenching stomper Lily’s Fair. The second half fades from that explosiveness but adds welcome dynamics with an old-school 50s-esque roller (Home To You), glittering folk (NFB) and even a piano-driven torch song (Splinter).
Every Time My Mind Runs Wild is dangerous but vulnerable, gentle but also ready to drop the gloves at a moment’s notice. It might only be Lightfoot’s second album, but it firmly establishes her in veteran territory.
Top track: Lily’s Fair
Terra Lightfoot plays the Dakota on April 14 and the Horseshoe on April 24.