Failer

Kathleen Edwards is another fine Canadian singer/songwriter who is, fortunately for us, getting a release outside her native country. This is no small thing because not all good Canadian artists do: Blue Rodeo and Fred Eaglesmith will repay diligent searching but others, like Charlie Mayer are harder to find. In a nutshell, Failer fits neatly somewhere between Lucinda Williams and Kasey Chambers. It is atmospheric, literate roots rock that illuminates some of the shadowed corners of the writer’s life. These are the kind of songs that have a way of slowly creeping into your consciousness until they become welcome friends. The obvious contrast is with the way fellow Canadian Shania Twain creates songs that have to hit on first listen in order to succeed on radio.

One of Edwards’ songs, in fact, speaks for itself on this matter: it’s called ‘One More Song The Radio Won’t Like’. Others like ‘Hockey Skates’, ‘Mercury’ and ‘National Steel’ have a quieter, moodier presence that seems wiser than a mid-twenties perspective would usually allow.

Produced by Edwards and Dave Draves, the sound alternates between sparse rhythmic textures and a fuller band sound that can include, on the songs that need them, organ, brass, banjo, vibes or steel guitar.

As for Kathleen herself, she possesses an illuminating voice that ably copes with the mood of each song, whether it’s a slow burner or on the more robust and rockin’ sound of songs like ‘Maria’.

All in all, this Failer is a deliberately misspelt success.