It’s been awhile since we’ve last heard from Edith Frost — four years to be exact. Apparently in the wake of a hefty tour after 9/11, she decided to take an undetermined absence from making music. Luckily she didn’t throw in the towel all together, as her songwriting, while being vastly underappreciated, still had room to develop.
Within minutes of “It’s a Game,” it’s clear that not rushing another album was the way to go. The music behind Frost’s words is simply perfect. It’s nothing too complicated: just nice, folk arrangements that are reminiscent of Gillian Welch’s early work. At times, she gets dreamy and slow (“Mirage,” “Lucky Charm”), while “Emergency” and “It’s a Game” are beautiful piano ballads and “What’s the Use” flirts with Iron & Wine-style rootsiness.
Frost’s voice is still sweet and innocent sounding, but her subject matters are hardly lightweight material. Heartbreak, lost loves, jerks, loneliness: subjects that are often too familiar to singer/songwriter types are vivid in her hands. In fact, Frost is so skilled at conveying pure honesty that listeners can’t help but adore her. — Michael D. Ayers
