Asking for Flowers

Customer Rating:
Summary: Just buy it already
Comment: Short and sweet review. If you already have her other works, grab this one, probably her best of the three.

If you don't have any of her previous, buy this one and the others as well.

There have been times I have listened to this 2 times in a row. I never bounce around and cherry-pick any of the tracks, I play it start to finish. No too much music out there today that I can do that with.

FWIW, just buy it already!

Customer Rating:
Summary: Third Time Around For Kathleen
Comment: Leave it to Kathleen Edwards to make her third album, ASKING FOR FLOWERS, every bit as caustic and as interesting as her first two (FAILER; BACK TO ME) had been. She has once again made a recording that ends up being one of my favorites for this year, alongside those of other roots-rockers like Sheryl Crow, Allison Moorer, Lucinda Williams, and Tift Merrritt.

It's very hard NOT to compare Kathleen's approach to either that of Lucinda (as they share the same imperfect but sharp kinds of voices) or her fellow Canadian Neil Young, because she has the same kind of songwriting intelligence and ruthlessness that those two legends have. She is aided and abetted here by great backing musicians like ex-Lone Justice drummer Don Heffington, Tom Petty's keyboard guru Benmont Tench, former Linda Ronstadt bassist Bob Glaub, and alt-country pedal steel legend Greg Leisz throughout the album. This all helps make the going smoother for Kathleen, as she goes sardonic with "I Make The Dough (You Get The Glory)" (with its references to her home country's national sport of hockey, and 70s Vegas-era Elvis), and very political on "Oil Man's War", a very sharp broadside against Bush that is worthy of comparisons to the aforementioned Mr. Young.

As is the case with Neil and Lucinda, Kathleen's approach to things is an acquired taste; but once one acquires that taste, it's hard not to be impressed. ASKING FOR FLOWERS will hopefully expand her presence south of Canada even more.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Quirky and Fun
Comment: Is it no surprise that this album is so outstanding with the incredible musicians involved. This is a great blend of songs and lyrics by an artist that is so talented. I'm glad you are back Kathleen. My favorites include "Asking for Flowers" and The Dough song ...diverse, quirky and fun.Her music so reminds me of 2 of my favorite new emerging singer-songwriters Arrica Rose and Waz.

Customer Rating:
Summary: The Perfect Melding of Heart and Head
Comment: "Don't be like that," she sings in "Buffalo," the wonderfully orchestrated opening song from Asking for Flowers. The poinancy of her plea is evident in a voice that is at once beautiful and bereft. No one today can fashion lyrics with more honesty and insight than Canadian, Kathleen Edwards. Her songs, with indelible snapshot imagery, world-weariness, and masterfully produced music, generate in the active listener empathy, compassion and, for those who've been wounded by Love, unmistakable recognition. Like visiting a great museum, listeners will come away from Asking for Flowers with a heightened awareness of their hearts, and their sensibilities. Great Art will do this every time, for those willing to go deep enough to experience it. And they will be left feeling thankful that Kathleen Edwards, as she did in her previous releases (Failer and Back to Me), has once more gone deep enough to create her art for us. This is a great record by a profoundly talented singer-songwriter.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Yet Another Canadian Gem
Comment: This is my first Kathleen Edwards album and I love it! How do the Canadians continue to produce such talent? Edwards is a beautiful blend of Dido and Edie Brickell; and the guitar work and keyboard/violin is reminiscent of Mark Knopfler. The melodies are beautiful; the song writing is romantic, evocative and brings tears to one's eyes. Play it alone, quite loud, and dance!