With a title like Voyageur one can expect to be taken on a trip. 

Album Review

Title: Voyageur

Artist: Kathleen Edwards

Label: MapleMusic Recordings

Release Date: January 17, 2012

By Meaghan Archer

Kathleen Edwards’ mature and passionate writing style is nothing less than impressive, and not simply because it shows off her undeniable talent. Listening to Voyageur you feel a connection between yourself, as a listener, and Edwards as another person, not necessarily an artist. Her music draws parallels to non-stardom life; the kind most of us live. The natural beauty of her lyrics, voice and musical rhythms grounds her and makes her music even more real, relatable and honest than almost anything else I have ever heard.

The songs are consistently wonderful from beginning to end. The opening track “Empty Threat” speaks truths of a broken heart and the ways of protecting it but realizing that a broken heart will heal. She writes one of the most realistic “break-up” songs titled “House Full of Empty Rooms,” that acknowledges that love doesn’t always work and that’s okay.

There isn’t a single song on this record that could be classified as worse than any of the others. But favorites can still be chosen. My favorite songs run from one to the other, beginning with Voyageur’s second track “Chameleon/Comedian.” The structure of the track’s title speaks for itself: Edwards sings of the way people change their personalities in relationships and how they can hide behind humor, and that “Every time, I don’t need a punch line.”

“A Soft Place to Land” is the next song and another favorite. Edwards brings such an honest approach to the lyrics “I’m looking for a soft place to a land/The forest floor, the palms of your hands” in which she draws parallels between love and nature—a very humbling statement. In a more upbeat song, “Change the Sheets” Edwards becomes very personal, singing “change the sheets and then change me” after her love is left and gone.

Voyageur speaks for itself in that Kathleen Edwards full-heartedly was the voyageur on this album, and the tales of her journey are in the songs. Full of realization and self-discovery, Edwards will enchant and comfort you with her beautiful voice and pure honesty.

Track Listing:

       1. Empty Threat

       2. Chameleon/Comedian

       3. A Soft Place to Land

       4. Change the Sheets

       5. House Full of Empty Rooms

       6. Mint

       7. Sidecar

       8. Pink Champagne

       9.Going to Hell

       10. For the Record

Written by :

Meaghan Archer