Sarah Burton

Toronto, ON singer-songwriter Sarah Burton earned critical praise for her debut EP, 2007's Love is for Pussies, and 2010's Mayflower. She ups the creative ante with this eclectic, but compelling release. Things start off in rockin' mode with "Raise the Bar" and the raunchy "Round Me Up," while country ("Tried Being Good"), blues and folk strains are audible later on. Burton's roots shine clearly on the final cut, a version of the traditional "Wayfaring Stranger" that breathes new fire into a well-covered classic. The other cover is the Low Anthem's "To Ohio," which is also done justice. Colourful characters and places in her original songs include outlaws, cowboys, the women who lust after them and drunken nights in Winnipeg. There's a slightly rough and ready feel to the instrumentation that suits Burton's vibrant and versatile vocals. She produced herself and recruited such fine guests players as Paul Reddick (his harmonica playing adds energy to a couple of cuts) and backing vocalists Andrea Romolo, Cindy Doire, Jenny Allen and Jadea Kelly. You get the sense they had lots of fun recording this very enjoyable disc.