Lyrical subtlety on Edwards' new CD her 2003 debut was a sleeper hit in reverse - "failer" sounded brilliant at first, but became considerably more ordinary after repeated listens. kathleen edwards does it the other way around on her second album, "back to me." although she revisits many of the same themes - heartache, notably - she approaches them with more lyrical subtlety, which gives the songs much greater depth. credit the change to a few years on the road, time that has definitely seasoned the canadian singer-songwriter. the things she complained about on "failer" have become weary truths on "back to me," as if she has taken the serenity prayer to heart and accepted the things she cannot change. wayward men, for example. she threatens to drop a dime on her criminal love interest on "in state," sighs over living in someone else's life on "copied keys" and writes off a wheezing relationship on "what are you waiting for?" when she sings "all my wrongs don't make you right." edwards' earthy voice is her most effective tool, and it wasn't always prominent enough on "failer." she keeps the vocals up front on the new record and limits the driving country-rock accompaniment to a supporting role instead of indulging the band in overlong solos that work better live anyway. the title track teeters on the brink of suggestive as edwards inserts a strategic pause in the lines, "i've got ways to make you come/back to me." it's true, she does: artistic growth will keep 'em coming back every time. eric r. danton ctnow.com				Album reviews Feature articles Interviews Show reviews