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Kathleen Edwards: Failer

By Kate Sheppard

With the heart of Lucinda Williams and a little less of the chill-inducing twang, Kathleen Edwards is another emerging folkstress looking to but the backwoods back on the map.

Edwards’ freshman album, Failer, hit stores in February, almost ducking under the radar of any major music circuits. But despite the tranquility of her country music coming-out party, Edwards is beginning to get more attention in bluegrass, folk and rock markets.

With her almost dogmatically anti-radio stance (hence tunes that are too long for standard radio fare and with titles like “One More Song Like the Radio Won't Like”), Edwards doesn't seem to expect much more attention than she's already getting.

Failer can be counted as an unsullied first release though, as Edwards' songs float breezily from one track to the next, from “Six O'clock News” to “Hockey Skates” and “Sweet Little Duck.”

While Edwards does little to distinguish herself from other more recognizable names in her field, including Williams, Allison Krauss or even the more popish Dixie Chicks, Failer is a strong showing for a first album.

If she wants longevity, however, she will have to get a little more distinctive and a little less anti-radio.