Lindi Ortega was known as "Indie Lindi" and "Toronto's best kept secret" until she was signed by Cherrytree Records in 2008. Eventually, after Cherrytree turned to more pop acts, Ortega was signed by Last Gang Records, by which she has released her last four albums, Little Red Boots, Cigarettes & Truck Stops, Tin Star, and then this record, Faded Gloryville. Ortega has been receiving critical acclaim since 2011 and her first full length record, but this album is the first one that Ortega has started really climbing up the charts, with this record hitting the Top 40 for both country and indie albums in the US and Top 15 for Heatseekers.
It's funny how in many ways, Canadian artists have been outshining Americans at country music, the most American genre there is. Lindsay Ell, Madeline Merlo, and Kira Isabella are all up and coming Canadian contemporary country artists that have been sticking to country more than any of the American artists. Kelsea Ballerini, RaeLynn and Danielle Bradbery have all fallen victim to pop music, and the Canadians are the ones keeping it country. Lindsay Ell's new single is a sort of perfect country pop, Madeline Merlo's EP outshines Raelynn's EP by a mile, and Kira Isabella has taken over Carrie Underwood's position at broaching difficult topics in songs. And then there are the more rootsy and old school artists like Ortega, newcomer Whitney Rose and others who bring so much to the Americana-country scene.
Her most successful album to date, Faded Gloryville is Ortega's true introduction to mainstream and American country music. Although she has been active as a musician since 2000, the first real success she experienced was in 2011 with Little Red Boots. Ortega mixes 80's country with new Americana. Roots artists like Ortega and newer acts like Whitney Rose and Ashley Monroe have been receiving extensive praise from those in favor of keeping country country. One could call Ortega more Americana than country, which she probably is, but the reason it sounds so Americana and different is because country music on the radio doesn't sound like country anymore, it sounds like a strange version of southern pop with hip hop beats.
Her most successful album to date, Faded Gloryville is Ortega's true introduction to mainstream and American country music. Although she has been active as a musician since 2000, the first real success she experienced was in 2011 with Little Red Boots. Ortega mixes 80's country with new Americana. Roots artists like Ortega and newer acts like Whitney Rose and Ashley Monroe have been receiving extensive praise from those in favor of keeping country country. One could call Ortega more Americana than country, which she probably is, but the reason it sounds so Americana and different is because country music on the radio doesn't sound like country anymore, it sounds like a strange version of southern pop with hip hop beats.
There is a definite evolution between this album and the last one. Tin Star spoke of being a tin star among the "shining stars of Nashville, Tennessee," while this album and it's title track, "Faded Gloryville" declare, "there ain't no stars in faded gloryville." Ortega bases this album on a place called 'faded gloryville,' a place filled of the washed up burn outs, those who "ran with the devil." So instead of creating a picture perfect album about high class white life (which most country artists do these days), she sings about the hard parts of life. Having an artist that doesn't sing about perfection is refreshing. As shown in songs like "Rundown Neighborhood," Ortega doesn't place herself above anyone else. There could be parallels drawn between her and Kacey Musgraves with their nothing-off-limits songwriting styles. This album depicts a life that is quite less than perfect, one that needs to be fixed. To have music about imperfection is a novelty these days, but is something that is very much needed.
Two of the best tracks on this record are the opener and the closer. The first song of Faded Gloryville is one of the only positive and hopeful songs, on a quite gloomy (but masterful) record. "Ashes" is about the end of a relationship, and growing and learning from a heartbreak. It is a slightly desperate but also a strong song, one that shows off Ortega's songwriting and beautiful voice right off the bat. Vocally, Ortega is such a unique talent. She has a classic sounding voice, somewhere between Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris. She has a heavy vibrato on her voice which adds a haunting feel to her music. On this song, and the last song, "Half Moon," her voice adds so much to songs, which would be incredible already, even without Ortega's gorgeous voice singing them.
A song that describes Ortega as a musician perfectly is the third song of this collection, "Tell It Like It Is." Written solely by Ortega, (she also wrote 'Faded Gloryville" and "I Ain't the Girl" by herself) although this song is about relationships and love, this is what Ortega does in her songwriting and music. She bold, and brave, and is okay playing music that maybe the radio isn't going to embrace or many country fans just won't understand. But that is what makes her stand out. She's not like everyone else.
Two of the best tracks on this record are the opener and the closer. The first song of Faded Gloryville is one of the only positive and hopeful songs, on a quite gloomy (but masterful) record. "Ashes" is about the end of a relationship, and growing and learning from a heartbreak. It is a slightly desperate but also a strong song, one that shows off Ortega's songwriting and beautiful voice right off the bat. Vocally, Ortega is such a unique talent. She has a classic sounding voice, somewhere between Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris. She has a heavy vibrato on her voice which adds a haunting feel to her music. On this song, and the last song, "Half Moon," her voice adds so much to songs, which would be incredible already, even without Ortega's gorgeous voice singing them.
A song that describes Ortega as a musician perfectly is the third song of this collection, "Tell It Like It Is." Written solely by Ortega, (she also wrote 'Faded Gloryville" and "I Ain't the Girl" by herself) although this song is about relationships and love, this is what Ortega does in her songwriting and music. She bold, and brave, and is okay playing music that maybe the radio isn't going to embrace or many country fans just won't understand. But that is what makes her stand out. She's not like everyone else.
A highlight is "I Ain't the Girl." Like Taylor Swift's hit complains about being the girl next door that this boy doesn't see, this song emphasizes how special it is to NOT be the girl next door. The tune is jaunty, and Ortega embraces how she doesn't want to be the girl that dressed up fancy guys look for, she likes them "rugged with tattoos." This is another example of why she is a special artist. She is not looking to be like everyone else. She's looking to be like herself, and is okay with being different.
Ortega wrote every song on the album, but did include a cover of the Bee Gee's "To Love Somebody." Using the Nina Simone cover as a base, Ortega countrifies this classic soul-pop late 60's hit. Incorporating a few bluesy elements, Ortega goes her most out of the country genre, with the incorporation of trumpets and John Mayer circa 2006 influenced beats. But again, it's lovely to have someone experiment with the bluesy soulful sounds rather than the electro-pop sounds that Kelsea Ballerini and Florida Georgia Line play with.
Ortega seems devoted to getting women back into country music, and the women who really deserve it. She wrote a wonderful piece for Saving Country Music in June, responding to Salad Gate, and the comments by Keith Hill saying that if you want ratings in country music, take women out." She wants the women who write beautiful songs, have incredible voices, and much more talent than the men on the radio right now to get a chance. Lindi Ortega is one who deserves that chance, and she's determined to get it, without molding into who country radio right now wants her to be.
Best tracks: To Love Somebody, Half Moon, Ashes, I Ain't The Girl
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 and a half crowns
Ortega wrote every song on the album, but did include a cover of the Bee Gee's "To Love Somebody." Using the Nina Simone cover as a base, Ortega countrifies this classic soul-pop late 60's hit. Incorporating a few bluesy elements, Ortega goes her most out of the country genre, with the incorporation of trumpets and John Mayer circa 2006 influenced beats. But again, it's lovely to have someone experiment with the bluesy soulful sounds rather than the electro-pop sounds that Kelsea Ballerini and Florida Georgia Line play with.
Ortega seems devoted to getting women back into country music, and the women who really deserve it. She wrote a wonderful piece for Saving Country Music in June, responding to Salad Gate, and the comments by Keith Hill saying that if you want ratings in country music, take women out." She wants the women who write beautiful songs, have incredible voices, and much more talent than the men on the radio right now to get a chance. Lindi Ortega is one who deserves that chance, and she's determined to get it, without molding into who country radio right now wants her to be.
Best tracks: To Love Somebody, Half Moon, Ashes, I Ain't The Girl
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 and a half crowns
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