Kathleen Edwards - Voyageur Canadian folkie still looking for a place to call home. For her 4th long-player Kathleen Edwards has crafted a ten song album of soft cornered alt-country. Harmony drenched choruses, restrained ensemble playing, and reflective, occasionally self-pitying lyrics and are the order of the day. The album opens with its catchiest song, 'Empty Threat', in which Edwards mock threatens to move to America in an attempt to save or end a relationship. It a lyrical theme which permeates the whole album; "Change the sheets, then change me" she sings on 'Change The Sheets'. Perhaps it's down to a life of constantly being moved around, her parents careers as diplomats meaning she spent large portions of her early life in both Korea and Switzerland. That said, and despite the travel hinted by by the album's title, it's a record that's as Canadian as SAD, timely released with its mid-winter mood. Factor in that it's co-produced by Justin Vernon of Bon Iver (surely a man familiar with the concepts of wintry isolation and sadness) and you'll begin to get the picture. The feeling of loneliness and displacement hangs heavy, 'House Full Of Empty Rooms' documents the dying days of a love affair. Similarly 'Pink Champagne' explores post-wedding mundane blues. Largely acoustic, it's not until six tracks in that Edwards channels the spirit of fellow Canadian Neil Young for some laid back CSN&Y electric guitar groove on 'Mint'. It's a welcome bit of bite for an album that's at times in danger of being a little too mellow. Though her lyrics express dissatisfaction with the world around her, the band sound gives the songs a resigned-to-this-fate feel, rather than a desire to break out and away. Only 'Sidecar' displays a much needed display of positivity and possibility. That said it's an album that's true to its own mood and feels like an honest and heartfelt body of work. Edwards cites her influences as Ani DiFranco, Ryan Adams, Neil Young and Bob Dylan. And while this album may not rank with her heroes' best work (hell, not much does!), it will no doubt find a strong and loyal audience. Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Duncan Fletcher Audio Scribbler				Album reviews Feature articles Interviews Show reviews