Roots Highway:  Failer as an alt. country chanteuse, kathleen edwards is almost bound by obligation to sing about the down-and-out low lifes that she's attracted to. addicts, losers, and drunks and edwards' stories about them have been assembled into edwards' debut album "failer." what sets edwards apart from her counterparts is that when you hear her music - a small chapter of her life full of ballads and ball busters that are holstered together with an incredible array of acoustic and electric guitar mastery, not to mention drop-dead stunning harmonies, and a sultry voice that penetrates the heart like a dagger, and lingers on long after the song has ended. once you hear edwards' pour her heart out not once, or even twice, but throughout an album that travels the vast and desolate emotional wasteland of the darker side of life, you become intrigued, and instantly become entranced by what edwards has to say. but then again what can't edwards do? having been trained on classical violin throughout her life, the sounds of whiskeytown made her realize that there was a higher purpose in life - one where she could not only connect with an audience, but make a substantial statement too. in addition to writing all the tracks on "failer" edwards plays guitar and even lends a hand in the production. while there isn't a single song on here that won't catch your attention for one reason or another, edwards tends to be more in her element in songs like the catchy country/rock "six o'clock news" and the blistering song about murder and a soured relationship in "12 bellevue" where edwards states "i'm not gonna smile/all the shit that's happened/is going to take awhile/i don't want to be your friend/just take off your clothes and get in my bed." and later fesses up by saying "i put a hole in your heart/then fed it to you." and while "12" might be a bit left-of-center for what the rest of the album's material holds, one common theme that stands the test of time is that "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." and a loathsome life it can be when one lacks emotions that are uplifting in nature. songs of sexual attraction and betrayal and downright bitterness are peppered throughout, and are only complimented by edwards' languid breathiness. having already been compared to a "young lucinda williams" might seem like a tough bill to fill for an artist who lacks confidence. but the comparisons make sense. "westby" finds edwards being attracted to an older and,well…." and if you weren't so old i'd probably keep you / if you weren't so old i'd tell my friends / but i don't think your wife would like my friends". these cuts complimented by others including the grim-fairy tale ending of "lone wolf" the mournful "sweet duck" and the catchy "one more song the radio won't like," perfectly balance out "failer." the effect of edwards lyrics are devastating and will leave scarred images painted in your mind. at 24 years old, edwards has proven to be a contender in this alt. country scene. edwards "failer" is anything but. grade: a   rootshighway.com				Album reviews Feature articles Interviews Show reviews