Kathleen Edwards: Back To Me (Zoe)

Canadian singer-songwriter delivers urgent, upbeat, sassy songs and knows her way around pop-rock hooks

(Herald rating * * *)

Canadian Edwards has some of the languid insouciance of early Lucinda Williams, especially on In State, the pop-rock opener here which is pure Williams-meets-Tom Petty (it knocks off Refugee actually, and features Heartbreaker Benmont Tench on organ).

But elsewhere on this, her American debut, she's sassy and stroppy (the terrific title track suggests you wouldn't take her for granted in a relationship), and knows her way around classic Byrds/Big Star pop-rock structures (Summerlong).

The acoustic Away with pedal steel and the brass-assisted Somewhere Else are standouts.

She drags the tempo a bit (Independent Thief needs a hefty kick before it gets to the fiery guitar/organ ending) and sometimes her vocals are a tad too light within the backing.

But she's delivered two-thirds of a fine album and has a fine rockin' band in tow.

A little flat in places but you can bet she delivers a good show; she's got the material.