If you're the type who'll dig Kathleen Edwards, you've probably already heard of her. You probably own her first album, 2002's stunning Failer, as well as a bunch of stuff by Gillian Welch, Neko Case, Garrison Starr and Lucinda Williams.

Your favorite local musician is most certainly Dawn Kinnard, and you likely wish you hailed from somewhere not-so-urban so you could drawl "y'all" without sounding like a poseur.

So if that describes you, get Edwards' new release Back to Me because you really will enjoy it.

If that's not you, run along and give that J. Lo disc a spin.

Back to Me finds the 26-year-old artist in the same folk-rock-country realm as Failer. I wouldn't say Edwards has grown much as a songwriter, but that's really OK. Failer was so accomplished that I'd be fine with Edwards writing the same kind of tunes for a few more years. Because it's beautiful music, crawling with accordions, tambourines, organs, pedal steel guitars and references to cops, jails, trucks, drinkin', motorcycle boots and an old lace dress.

My kind of gal.

Edwards is all saucy bravado on the hard-hitting "Back to Me" ("My daddy is comin' for you," she bellows), but shows her inner softie on tracks like the distrait "Copied Keys" and the gasping, yearning "Summerlong."

She also shows her inner pop-rocker aptitude with "What Are You Waiting For?" which will get you tapping your toes if you're the toe-tapping kind.

And if you're the Kathleen Edwards kind (which you should, um, be able to ascertain by now), the whole album will get you deeper into this whole thang we like to call chick alt-country. C'mon in, the water is fine.

-- Reviewed by Caralyn Green