LA Music Examiner review of “Freight Train Love” – “Hilary Scott: Girls rock”

“Despite a music career that began in Seattle more than a decade ago, Hilary Scott—(one “L”)—is not a household name. If the award-winning. Indie-Americana singer-songwriter’s new album, Freight Train Love, is any indication; this won’t be the case for too much longer.  Freight Train Love is her latest in an 11-disc string of singles, EPs and full length albums. Here Scott puts down her guitar and focuses on her lead and backing vocals.  She is backed by guitarist Johnny Lee Schell (Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal), bassist Bob Glaub (Paul McCartney, Linda Ronstadt and Rod Stewart), drummer Tony Braunagel (Bonnie Raitt, Rickie Lee Jones), keyboardist Mike Finnigan (Crosby, Stills and Nash and Leonard Cohen) and additional percussion by Schell, ONeill and AJ Gennaro.”

William Phoenix comments on each track.  Here are some of his comments:

“It (the album) includes 10 tracks of country, rock, folk and pop. The album-opener and titular track “Freight Train Love” was co-written with producer ONeill and offers a strong start to the overall work. it features Julie Delgado (Sting) on backing vocals.”‘“Flowers On Mars” is the title track of the vinyl EP released prior to this. It’s also one of the best songs here. This just comes off as one of those songs of legend where a musician wakes up and writes a hit song. It’s the kind of songwriting that earned her awards.”‘“Whiskey Bottle Dry” is another example of what Scott and ONeill can do together. You pretty much expect a song like this but on the other hand, it has to go over big when she performs it live.”‘“If You Don’t Love Me” is next. This one was also co-written by Fisher who duets with her. It’s got a big country sound and again while one would expect a cut like this it’s all good whether expected or not.”‘“Lotta Love” is a cover of the Neil Young classic. Let’s be honest. When you look back at Young’s career this is one you can easily picture him either singing with someone else or just plain letting someone else—a gal—sing. That gal is Scott. Her vocals give it an old school feel. Your rockin’ reviewer doesn’t usually go for girls doing guy’s songs but this is one of those exceptions.’The closing cut is “Didn’t Make It Alive”. This, too, is co-composed with ONeill. It’s an apt album end-note proving once more that less than sterling life stories make good song fodder.”

“Check out Hilary Scott’s Freight Train Love. It sounds like she put a “Lotta Love” into it.”

Read the full review here:  Hilary Scott: Girls rock