‘Failer’ is Canadian Edwards’ debut album, which was originally independently released in 2002, and then picked up by an established US label for a wider release in 2003. One listen through is all you need to see why the disc is receiving excellent press and radio play both here and in the US – it’s accessible, melodic, has some excellent musicians, and the lyrics are tender but with real edge.
Identifiably Canadian in execution, ‘One More Song’ has shades of Neil Young in the guitar, piano and vocal delivery, while ‘The Lone Wolf’ echoes The Cowboy Junkies, and her vocals across the album have a refreshingly different feel to most US singer/songwriter discs, they’re laid back and little world weary, but suit the musical backdrop perfectly.
Accompaniment is varied and full, with singer/songwriter Jim Bryson’s fantastic electric guitar work the main feature, but there’s slide, banjo, strings and organ amongst the other instrumentation.
It’s an album of really strong and ‘complete’ songs, they sound full and well arranged, and the attention to detail is really impressive, slower songs such as ‘Hockey Skates’ work well with lots of instrumental layers.
Highlights are everywhere on this disc, the opener ‘6 o’clock news’ is a radio friendly, alt-country style song with a strong narrative and great hooks, and the afore mentioned ‘Hockey Skates’ is a wonderful lyrical piece with an edge, it end “do you think your boys club will crumble just because of a loud mouthed girl”.
‘Failer’ is a striking album, made all the more impressive by the fact that it’s the first released from a 24 year old singer/songwriter. Highly recommended. 

£13.49