Reviewed by Jessica Shearer
Southside Cindy & the Slip-Tones/Mighty Mighty
There are times when Southside Cindy reminds me of Melissa Etheridge, as on the opening cut, “Sail Right Through,” which gradually picks up tempo as Cindy unleashes a raspy growl. But I don’t think Etheridge has a voice as big as Cindy’s. Cindy’s singing is definitely rooted in the blues, packing every word with longing and angst. However, there’s a whole lotta soul in those lungs as well. If you take Etheridge’s two-fisted punch and combine it with the emotional depth and speaker-filling power of Aretha Franklin, you’ll get an idea of what Cindy sounds like.
But a strong vocal isn’t enough to make a record successful. Thankfully, Cindy and her Slip-Tones have given us a body of rock-solid blues numbers that never become old even upon seriously repeated spins. The wounded “Leftover Love” and the meaty “He’s Got My Love” are prime bar-band blues. Although Cindy’s scorching singing provides most of the highlights, the playing of her group is intoxicating and airtight.
