When the Weather Breaks We Can Sail the Great Lakes

Over the past decade, Kathleen Edwards has built herself up as one the best female alt-country artist with breezy driving songs and a quick wit. Her fourth full length album Voyageur is a bit more somber affair as Edwards has described it as her “Divorce Album”. But do not expect any angry Since U Been Gone type break up songs as the tracks that make up the album or more introspective on the end of her marriage.

With the subject matter mixed with the melancholy music that accompanies it, it is unclear if she is her usual sardonic self like when she claims she is moving to America (she’s Canadian, do not hold that against her) on the opening track but even the title of the song lets you know it is an Empty Threat. Same goes for Chameleon/Comedian. But for the most part, with titles like A Soft Place to Land and House Full of Empty Rooms, Edwards sound more remorseful than the person who last album said that asking for flowers was like asking for a fight.

Sonically Voyager is her most adventurous album yet which may have something to do with Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon producing the album. First single Change the Sheet buzzes with an opening spacey guitar riff making it her most anthemic song to date and begs to be heard under the stars this summer. While Going to Hell is a slow burning sonic boom where you can really hear Justin Vernon’s more ethereal production. Hopefully the Edwards and Vernon collaboration can produce music this good for years to come.

Song to Download – Change the Sheets

Voyageur gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.