Kathleen Edwards: Asking For Flowers
Tuesday, 29 Apr 2008 07:57
Kathleen Edwards: Asking For Flowers
Zoe Records, available as an import through Decca in the UK.
In a nutshell...
Melodic, lyrical alternative country-folk
What's it all about?
The 11-track album is Kathleen Edward's third studio offering, following her well-received 2005 disc Back To Me and her 2003 debut Failer.
Praised by critics from the New York Times, Blender and Rolling Stone, Kathleen's music is inspired by the likes of Whiskeytown, Ani DiFranco, Tom Petty, Neil Young and Bob Dylan.
She is most well known for her storytelling ability and her skill with lyrics, which have earned her favourable comparisons with fellow North American indie songwriter Neko Case, who performs as a solo artist and as a member of the New Pornographers.
Who's it by?
Ottawa-born singer-songwriter Kathleen Edwards spent parts of her childhood travelling with her diplomat parents, living in South Korea and Switzerland before returning to Canada's capital city. Classically trained on the violin, she soon swapped it for a guitar and released her debut album, the well-received indie disc Failer in 2003.
Following a 200-show tour to promote Failer and its three singles - One More Song The Radio Won't Like, Six O'Clock News and Hockey Skates - a second disc entitled Back To Me was released in 2005. Also well-received in North America, a track from the album was featured the soundtrack to the film Elizabethtown and the album was nominated for two of Canada's prestigious Juno Awards.
Kathleen has been married to producer/musician Colin Cripps since 2004. Asking For Flowers is her third studio release.
As an example...
"Inside of this moment there are/things I wish I could know/Like my ring size, your ring size/and the hour I was born." - Alicia Ross
"Asking for flowers/Is like asking you to be nice/Don't tell me you're too tired/10 years I've been working nights." - Asking For Flowers
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
Sadly, Canadian indie folk/country/alternative music, although well received by critics, is not generally recognised by the Grammy panel. Asking For Flowers is award-worthy, but is more likely to pick up a nod for Adult Alternative Album of the Year at Canada's Juno Awards and remain largely ignored by panels elsewhere. However, fans of Kathleen Edwards' previous work, as well as discs by the Sadies, Neko Case and the New Pornographers will not be disappointed.
What the others say
"On her strongest album yet, she sets a poignant road tale between New York and Ontario (Buffalo) and pens a fierce, Crazy Horse-ish squall about crack, murder and racism in her own back yard (O Canada)." - Will Hermes, Rolling Stone
"Despite the wintry weather, Asking For Flowers will make you want to put the windows down and the volume up on your morning drive." - Juli Thanki, PopMatters
So is it any good?
In a word, yes. Asking For Flowers is a grown-up, lyrical masterpiece from an indie star with a little bit of polish.
Though the album lacks in fast-paced tracks, it more than makes up for it with its smooth song transitions, which make it tuneful, introspective listening from start to finish.
Repeated listens - and it is an album that deserves multiple listens, particularly if there is enough time to play it from start to finish in one sitting - reveal honest lyrics, colourful characters and subtly-crafted lyrics.
Though it is a difficult genre to classify - it is by no means radio-friendly Nashville-styled country music, nor is it pop, rock or alternative by itself - and may perhaps be overlooked by mainstream audiences, Asking For Flowers is an ideal album for those who like their music to tell stories.
9/10
Kaitlyn Critchley 
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