Burner is an album that does just that -- burns. It's an album that blends genres and defies categorization. Jane Jensen recorded Burner on her own terms, releasing it independently, and it shows. It has a sound that defies categorization, varying from a slow simmer to a rolling boil. It's electric girl-pop grunge with a twist of hip-hop blues, and it's an irresistible mix. Burner kicks off effectively with the infectious "Fast Girl U.S.A.," then boils into the ballsy track "Burner." The album slumps a bit through the next two tracks, but picks up with the definitive breakup song "Happiness." With lyrics like "Without you I'm one step closer to happiness," it's unmistakably brutal and pure attitude. "Save the World" burns with a raw eroticism. "Illuminate" has a sweetness that makes it the perfect antidote to "Happiness." "Sick of Losing" rings with naked need, the opposite of "Illuminate." The album wraps up with a meditation on goodness, or the lack thereof, "Angel." Burner singes the listener with its honesty, desire, and need. Jensen's voice, ranging from sultry to girly and everything in between, is perfectly matched by the hip-hop beats and electric sound. It's an album that will stay with you.
© Melinda Hill /TiVo