Sarah Burton is Canadian, but she hails from Austin these days. Does she play power pop, americana or that dread catch-all, "alternative". I'm joking, of course, but Burton's peppy songs feature both roots elements and punky guitars. Binding it all together is her strong, ringing voice--a voice that doesn't make it any easier to pigeonhole her.

Sarah Burton 64 Magic Queens (self-released)

And would anyone want to do that? These songs have a vibrant pop, and her incisive lyrics take what might be mundane and create a work of substance. Yeah, she'd have fit in just fine in the 90s, but I'm glad she's doing this today.

There is plenty of sheen in the production, but that is mostly restrained. Often, these songs have the off-handed and casual sound of late 90s Mekons. Her voice contains both playfulness and steel. That comes across in the mix as well.

Easy to love, and much harder to put away. Burton is a fine writer and maybe an even better performer. There's just enough wistfulness to push this from summer to fall. The leaves may be turning, but they'll be back next spring. Here's hoping that Burton records her next album in similar time.

Jon Worley