Quick Before it Melts

Tuesday 17 January 2012

For the record

The opening moments on Voyageur, Kathleen Edwards‘ new album, sounds like the dawning of a new day.  The sun rises, the darkness is dispelled, and the air is electric with anticipation and possibility.  The lyrics to “Empty Threat” hint at resolution and momentum, finding Edwards moving forward from personal issues, artistic stagnation, all with a classic Canadian sense of humour about breaking free from the pack (the chorus taunts “I’m moving to America/It’s an empty threat”).

But breaking up and breaking free from relationships isn’t funny, and Edwards will be the first to admit that I’m sure.  That she manages to shed her musical and personal past so succinctly with Voyageur is nothing short of magical.  I’m not a fan boy blowing smoke up her arse when I say that, either.  While there’s been nothing in her previous work that’s run against my sensibilities, there’s also been little for me to get excited about.  She is a competent songwriter and performer and a worthy ambassador for Canadian music abroad, but never been someone whose music inspired me to repeated listens.  Voyageur changes all that: it’s intoxicating in its pace and rhythm, emotional and passionate, and the first great Canadian record of 2012.

Many will highlight the fact that it was produced by Edwards’ new beau, Justin “Bon Iver” Vernon, putting down the album’s charm and success to his handiwork, but they will be doing Edwards and her songwriting a disservice.  Before any knobs could be twiddled, or mic set just so, Edwards has written a cohesive collection of songs that hint at catharsis (“Change The Sheets”), contemplation (“House Full of Empty Rooms”)   and closure in equal measure.   What Vernon has provided is a new musical language for Edwards to showcase her songs in.  The Bon Iver-esque touches right from that opening moment on serve the songs rather than draw attention away from them.  By the time you get to the bluesy swagger of “Mint” you’re not even aware of the production; a compliment to artist and producer alike.

This album has been an unexpected pleasure from an artist whose new material I wasn’t anticipating.  These are the kind of records I love discovering, and the kind that end up on my year-end lists in December.  We’ve a long way to go until then, but I’m certain that Kathleen Edwards will be on that journey with me for 2012.

Voyageur is released today, January 17, by MapleMusic.

 
Kathleen Edwards “Change The Sheets”

Facebook: Kathleen Edwards
Twitter: Kathleen Edwards

Tweet

by J. Di Gioia | 3 Comments »

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 17th, 2012 at 7:00 am and is filed under MP3, QBiM SPiNS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.