Kathleen Edwards - Failer

The one that came before Back To Me, and her debut, I think. More or less the same kind of stuff - melodic singer-songwriter sweetness mingled with country rasp and twang, and done pretty well. A bit less expansive than Back To Me, and with rootsier (ie, less glossy and full-feeling) production - neither of which is a criticism, natch. Edwards' dusty voice - one of the more distinctive aspects of her music - is in fine form, though here she's more likely to be edging closer to murmuring or declaiming her vocals than, as on Back To Me, really singing them. The melodies are less immediate, though, and also, I think, maybe a bit less strong. Still, all in all, a good album.