Failer

( 4 )

Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - David McGee
Newcomer Kathleen Edwards makes a startling debut with Failer, which suggests an electric fusion of Whiskeytown's ringing guitars, Lucinda Williams's breathy, melancholy delivery, and fellow Canadian Neil Young's raspy, earthy tone. These sources ably serve Edwards's vivid narratives, which are given added resonance by the disc's atmospheric, film noir–like arrangements. If Failer's ambience is somewhat sinister, however, it's only amplified by the subject matter: The hard-driving "Six O'Clock News" finds the narrator pleading with her deranged companion, by whom she's pregnant, to give up his standoff with the police; typical of these songs, though, he winds up "lying ...
See more details below
CD
$12.29
BN.com price
(Save 18%)$14.99 List Price
Other sellers (CD)
  • All (17) from $1.99   
  • New (10) from $9.84   
  • Used (7) from $1.99   

More About This Product

Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - David McGee
Newcomer Kathleen Edwards makes a startling debut with Failer, which suggests an electric fusion of Whiskeytown's ringing guitars, Lucinda Williams's breathy, melancholy delivery, and fellow Canadian Neil Young's raspy, earthy tone. These sources ably serve Edwards's vivid narratives, which are given added resonance by the disc's atmospheric, film noir–like arrangements. If Failer's ambience is somewhat sinister, however, it's only amplified by the subject matter: The hard-driving "Six O'Clock News" finds the narrator pleading with her deranged companion, by whom she's pregnant, to give up his standoff with the police; typical of these songs, though, he winds up "lying dead on the street," leaving his paramour to lament, "And I can't feel my broken heart." The gentle, acoustic-driven folk-rock of "Hockey Skates" frames a tale of terminal frustration over a self-absorbed boyfriend ("Do you wish your nose was longer/So you'd have an excuse not to see past it"), its choruses rising ominously on a rush of strings. "Westby" finds a furious Edwards almost screaming invective, à la Ani DiFranco, at an older, married lover, her anger mirrored by a tangle of acoustic and electric guitars. The foreboding string arrangements and subdued shuffle of "National Steel" lend a Beatlesque grandeur to an elliptical recounting of emotional disconnects. There's nothing easy about these songs -- Edwards is as hard on herself as she is on others -- and there's nothing predictable about the music supporting the stories. Edwards takes her cue from the Beat writers, finding humanity not in good deeds but in extreme behavior propelled by vulnerability, irrationality, and the desires of the flesh. That's a pretty good place to start.
All Music Guide - Jason MacNeil
Teeming with roots and with alternative country oozing from every note, Kathleen Edwards could easily be compared to fellow Canadian Sarah Harmer, but there is a natural difference in their approaches. With songs such as "One More Song the Radio Won't Like," the singer tends to stand outside the conventional box, but her voice easily recalls Lucinda Williams at her most vulnerable. "I'm so tired of playing defense/And I don't even have hockey skates," she sings during "Hockey Skates," which straddles the country/pop line to perfection. "The Lone Wolf" is another strong nugget, demonstrating an earthy, Neil Young quality. There is also an adventurous side to the album, with saxophones and an edgier, tougher sound on "12 Bellvue." Possessing a lyrical cynicism far beyond her tender 23 years, Edwards seems best at her most melancholic, particularly during "National Steel" and relating the problems of addiction in "Mercury." But the prettiest number is the closing "Sweet Lil' Duck," whose overtones evoke "Here Comes a Regular" from the Replacements. Far from a failure, Failer is as gorgeous as it is flawless.
Rolling Stone - Anthony DeCurtis
Instantly accessible yet complex enough to sustain interest, this album establishes Edwards as someone to watch.... Failer is a winner.
Spin Magazine
She could be major. (B+)
Blender - Ann Powers
Edwards's songs have an indefinable pull that makes you love the characters they describe, no matter how f--ked-up they are.

Instantly accessible yet complex enough to sustain interest, this album establishes Edwards as someone to watch.... Failer is a winner.
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • Release Date: 1/14/2003
  • Label: Zoe Records
  • UPC: 601143103520
  • Catalog Number: 431035
  • Sales rank: 51,889

Tracks

Disc 1
  1. 1 Six O'Clock News (4:36)
  2. 2 One More Song the Radio Won't Like (4:25)
  3. 3 Hockey Skates (4:28)
  4. 4 The Lone Wolf (4:54)
  5. 5 12 Bellevue (3:43)
  6. 6 Mercury (3:32)
  7. 7 Wetbury (2:27)
  8. 8 Maria (3:45)
  9. 9 National Steel (4:52)
  10. 10 Sweet Little Duck (4:28)
Read More Show Less

Album Credits

Performance Credits
Kathleen Edwards Primary Artist, Primary Artist, Primary Artist, Primary Artist, Acoustic Guitar, Strings, Vocals
Dave Dudley Drums
Jim Bryson Banjo, Electric Guitar, Vocals
Dave Draves Organ, Piano, Drums, Vibes
Maury LaFoy Piano
Peter Von Althen Percussion, Drums
Joel Anderson Percussion, Drums
Petr Cancura Baritone Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone
Fred Guignon Slide Guitar, national steel guitar, Lap Steel Guitar
Kevin McCarragher Bass
Blair Phillips Alto Saxophone
Tom Thompson Pedal Steel Guitar
Technical Credits
Greg Calbi Mastering
Dave Draves Producer, Engineer, Feedback
Jack D. Elliot Engineer
Kathleen Edwards Producer
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 4 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(2)

4 Star

(2)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously
Sort by: Showing all of 4 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Bittersweet Country Rock with an Edge

    I've been hooked by Kathleen Edwards from the moment I put this cd in my car. The songs range from the intensely personal 'Sweet Little Duck' to the hard luck story in 'Six O'Clock News'. Edwards must be keeping her eyes wide open while traveling through life, because it shows in her writing and vocal expression. Her voice can slash and mock in 'Westby' and 'One More Song', and evoke great sadness and loss in 'Mercury' and 'National Steel', while the same can be said for the instrumental work by the band. Here is a woman that reminds me of a mix between Neil Young, the late Gram Parsons,and the introspection of Joni Mitchell. With no doubt I look forward to hearing more from Edwards in the future.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted November 25, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted November 22, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted November 9, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 4 Customer Reviews