From the first tune through the final cut of Cigarettes & Truckstops, Lindi Ortega’s voice cuts through Colin Linden’s thoughtful and bucolic production like a shot of 151. Vocal and production take centre stage on Ortega’s sophomore release, giving nods to country music’s blues roots while placing the characters in Ortega’s tunes somewhere between then and now, at times with one foot in each camp. Ortega’s songwriting is strong throughout. Opening title track is one of those hard travelling ballads, followed up by the fed-up lover’s last fuck-offs of “The Day You Die” and “Lead Me On.” “Demons Don’t Get Me Down” is a great booze and dope track, the chorus of which rings “I don’t feel good, but I feel alright / I ain’t gonna cry myself to sleep tonight,” while “Use Me” goes even further, straddling the line between dope tune and sexy-times tune. “Murder of Crows” is as contemporary a murder ballad as Fred Eaglesmith’s “Katie.” Colin Linden’s contribution should also be mentioned, as the veteran producer and blues player gives the album a consistent, backwoods feel throughout, with top notch players highlighting Ortega’s mean pipes. Worth picking up if you’re into roots, or just into great female vocalists performing at the top of their game. (Last Gang Entertainment, lindiortega.ca) Sheldon Birnie