Average Rating: 
Rating:  - "another star shines bright in the sky ~ Kathleen Edwards"
Shades of Beth Nielsen Chapman, Aimee Mann, Lucinda Williams and Gillian Welch---although she is a Canadian her roots blend heartfelt country/folk/bluegrass into one neat package. This very young performer Kathleen Edwards debut album "Failer", has the rumblings of a star being born. Each cue has a penetrating style that cannot be denied. Just listen to the track "WESTBY", when she states I don't think your wife would like my friends---when have you heard lyrics that come from the essence of your soul. Take a careful listen to "NATIONAL STEEL", a haunting melody with lyrics to match, trading a daughter for [$$] for a National Steel leaves you thinking about what is being said. The final track "SWEET LITTLE DUCK", you set me on your shelf and I just sit here, tired of you making up your mind as the musicians drift off into a meditating cloud.Edwards back up is nothing to sneeze at ~ Joel Anderson (drums/percussion), Jim Bryson (guitar), Petr Cancura (baritone, soprano sax), Dave Draves (organ), Fred Guignon (slide guitar), Maury Lafoy (piano), Kevin McCarragher (bass), Blair Phillips (alto sax), Keith Snider (banjo), Peter von Althen (percussion) and Tom Thompson (pedal steel)---each musician fills the bill with room to spare. Predict a bright future for this original performer/songwriter who will offer beautiful highways to travel ~ KATHLEEN EDWARDS is not FAILER! ...
Rating:  - Alt-Country at its Best.
Man, it seems like this album came out of nowhere. I bought it on word of mouth having not heard any of it, and I was not disappointed. Kathleen Edwards is one of the most exciting artists of this new year.Every new artist faces the unfortunate prospect of being compared to others, and I will subject this album to the same treatment. Imagine Lucinda Williams fronting Crazy Horse, and that would be a good start. But no comparison can ever summarize good music (bad music, sure). The music on this album is moody but buoyant, Edwards' voice never being out-weighed by the tight folk-rock-country instrumentation. Her songwriting is also quite compelling if a little solemn; her songs are populated by bitterness, regret, and drunks. Lots of drunks. But the music never quite sinks to a depressing level, and Edwards' voice tackles these heavy topics with a nonchalance that makes them seem comfortable. I gave this album four stars for one particular reason: this album requires multiple listenings. In the end, that's what makes a perfect album, but this album is not immediately accessible. I've only had the album for a week, and am still listening to it. It's not my favorite -- yet -- but I can certainly say that it's an exciting start not only for the promising career of a new alt-country star, but for a new year that promises an exciting new direction in music.
Rating: - Smart, understated & powerful
Kathleen Edwards is being compared to Lucinda Williams, Ryan Adams, Neil Young, Whiskeytown, etc. In a sense, given that she's new on the scene, she deserves more credit than that. No, no, I'm not saying she's better. While I would agree that she shares a similar sensibility to these artists, there's a distinctive voice in her songwriting and delivery. She gets more credit, in my book, for not just copying folks out there who have gone before her. Precious few artists seem to be capable of that these days. Although I'm always skeptical (with good reason) when the name dropping begins, Failer turns out to be a fantastic recording. I've got my fingers crossed, while I listen to Westby over and over again, that this is just the first of many wonderful discs from Kathleen.
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