Full Review

Kathleen Edwards – Back to me

Following on from the huge success and impact her debut album ‘Failer’ had was always going to be a difficult task, and while ‘Back to Me’ is in some ways the logical extension to the debut, it has a rockier and more straightforward approach.

The opening track ‘In State’ provides a thematic and sonic link back to ‘Six o’clock News’ from ‘Failer’ but from here on in the two albums take different paths, with this new album choosing a more rock based direction but still retaining her subtle country influences with use of pedal steel and slide guitar on many tracks.

While the upbeat songs are full of hooks and instantly engaging, it’s the slower tracks that provide the highlights and the more considered arrangements bring the lyrics and her emotive voice to the fore; songs such as ‘Away’, ‘Good Things’ and ‘Copied Keys’ are all songs that show their strengths over repeated plays.

The musicians consist mainly of her touring band (she’s toured relentlessly since the release of ‘Failer’), plus notable guests including Benmont Tench and Jim Bryson.

‘Back to Me’ is a good album, and even though it lacks a little of the subtlety and craft of her excellent debut, it still stands up as a fine example of contemporary country rock.