Burn to Shine is the melting-pot sound of the folk-rock singer/songwriter striding into soul, blues, and jazz territory. The brooding opener "Alone" is a slow-rolling requiem on human nature accompanied by a haunting bass line. Sharing credit with his longtime backing band for the first time, Harper adds banjo and clarinet to the ragtime-influenced "Suzie Blue," while the majestic "Show Me A Little Shame" pairs churchy organ riffs with Harper's lovelorn lyrics to soul-stirring effect.