Kathleen Edwards – Back To Me

Brilliance After The Breakup

Kathleen Edwards piles on another reason to be jealous of Canada with Back To Me, a quietly intense album. This isn’t the screaming rage of early Alanis nor the sugary sweetness of teen stars. It’s somewhere in the middle, and slightly above the rest as well. Edwards’ writing exposes a multi-dimensional, independent woman complemented by the music she plays. This isn’t something found often in recent music.The most beautiful moment on the record is “Away,” a sweet song showcasing Edwards’ vocal talent as she reflects on changes that have occurred back home while she was traveling. The varied emotions she manages to pack into the word “away” – wistfulness, regret, curiosity, and even hope – are amazing.

Back To Me is not a true “breakup” album, though it deals with the aftermath of a relationship’s end. It’s just that this record is more about an acceptance and sense of forward progression that comes after turmoil and angst. This barely perceptible difference changes the album’s dynamic a great deal, giving the overall songwriting a more hopeful tone.

Even the more rocking tracks show the maturity in Edwards’ work. As “Old Times Sake” progresses, the sonic layers build upon each other, creating a complete sound which complements the superb writing.

The lyrics to “Summer Long” exemplify Edwards honest self-reflection – “All the nights and wasted time/Trying to get my head to change its mind/All the talk of what it could be/When it never was.”

At twenty-five there can only be more good things expected from Edwards in the future, but in the meantime Back To Me should be more than enough to keep listeners satisfied.