By Alex Brenner

I must admit when I first heard Kathleen Edwards’ new record was being produced by Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon I was a bit worried. That’s me, the indie snob, but then I heard his work on Land of Talk’s stellar Some Are Lakes and my worrying subsided.

What you get with Voyageur is much more adventurous and focused sound that is bound to break her out of the Americana mold. It’s not so out of left field, it’s just not so singer songwriter and more akin to David Bazan or Feist. Believe me, I love all her records but Americana (in my opinion) can be limiting and I always thought she had that extra something; Voyageur is that something. She still is one hell of a songwriter with a great sense for melody, and sometimes humor and wit, as found in “Cheapest Key” from her last album: “A is for all the times I bit my tongue, B is for bullshit and you fed me some. That preceded by “F is my favorite letter as you know”. Edwards also knows how to pick some great guests on her records. Last time it was members of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers and this time it’s Norah Jones and the Long Winter’s John Roderick.

So the songs are still fairly acoustic driven but it’s the bubbling synths and the broken cable noise in the album’s strongest track, “Side Car”, that add so much. The production is done very well, not too polished and not too indie to make her sound like something totally different. It’s not like she is trying to go out of her way to be different. It’s just good solid songwriting and her voice is downright amazing. What really makes Kathleen Edwards such a great artist is that she is always consistent. All her records are great all the way through; this record probably the most.

I don’t want to focus on the fact that this is supposed to be her “divorce record.” Honestly, it does not add anything to the record to think of it that way. It’s an amazing record. I’ve had it heavy rotation in the car for a week or two and it will be on my top of 2012 for sure. Maybe you are not too familiar with her previous work or maybe like me you’ve been a fan since Failer broke your heart. If anything Voyageur should get Kathleen Edwards the mainstream (not top 40 Katy Perry Mainstream) success she deserves.

Inspired in name by F. Scott Fitzgerald and sounding a bit like Wilco’s A.M., BLF will charm you with ringing guitars and lovely violin strings behind a strong sober vocal.

See one of Atlanta’s hidden gems tonight at the EARL. $5.

Heading a fantastic triple bill is Savannah’s Dare Dukes. In support of his long awaited (for me anyway) follow up to The Prettiest Transister of Them All, Dare will start the year with a quick tour of some of his favorite haunts including Atlanta, Nashville, Charlottesville and Brooklyn. The new record, Thugs and China Dolls, does not follow directly from what you may have heard from Mr. Dukes in the past. He is exploring new sounds that complement and emphasize his strengths – a strong vocal delivery and a sharp lyrical sincerity. As much as I enjoy the records though, I will tell testify that the only way to appreciate Dare Dukes is live, in-person and close-up – all of which you can do in the Ballroom Lounge.

If I haven’t sold you on the value of this show yet, then consider that two of Atlanta’s finest folk rocks bands are on the undercard. Book Club is still buzzing over the success of last year’s [ghost] and if you think you know the ladies of the Georgia Fireflies from their long history on the Atlanta scene but haven’t yet heard them with the addition of Chris on bass and Erik on drums then you need to take a second look.

Dare Dukes – Meet You at the Bus

We fully realize how cheezy it looks when we promote the band of one of our most frequent contributors, but we have no problem with cheeze; we leave the pretense for others.

Nonetheless, we didn’t title this post Swing Set, Jan. 6 at the EARL because we know the guys in that band and we think they’re great rockers as well as swell guys – from the one that dabbles in the law to the one who designs designs to the one who makes us love Dixie Cups. Still what kind of integrity would we have if we only shilled our pals? (Maybe about the same kind as Lester Bangs, but that’s beside the point.) So, just to be clear, this post isn’t about going to see Swing Set at the EARL on its first night open after the annual holiday close.

This post is about going to see Atlanta’s Polar Dunes on the first night the EARL will be open after its annual holiday close. If you can go seven days without a trip to the EARL then you’re stronger than we are (or maybe just live farther away). Nonetheless, it’s time to get back. Check out this new track from Polar Dunes and make plans Monday night.

Polar Dunes – Fossils of Our Weekends (Periodic Table Version)
Swing Set – Bridges and Tunnels

Spirits and the Melchizedec Children
New Animal
Little Tybee
Today the Moon Tomorrow the Sun.

One place. One price. Tonight at the Earl. $5 at the door. Be There.

Pleased to be a (very) small part of the collective behind this event. It will be a great night with some potential surprises still in the works.

In order to give all four of these great bands a chance to thrill you the music will start promptly at 8:30. Get there early and get your tickets here.