Sarah Slean's middle name is flamboyant. Though it could just as easily be eccentric, quirky, eclectic or just plain freaky.

On her fourth full-length Day One, the Toronto singer-pianist presents more evidence to further the theory that she is the spiritual love child of Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Tom Waits and Hawksley Workman -- with a little Sally Bowles thrown in for good measure.

But this time out, cabaret-popster Slean also gets into a whole new groove. Day One is Slean's most rhythmically dynamic work yet, with funkier backbeats, choppier guitars, livelier percussion and more all-around bounce to the ounce than you usually find in her minor-key piano-girl torch ballads.

Coupled with the off-kilter appeal of her girlish voice, poppier cuts like Luckier Me wouldn't sound too far out of place on a Gwen Stefani solo album.

If that isn't the sign of a new day for Sarah, we don't know what would be. Slean gets her groove on tomorrow at the West End Cultural Centre.

Track Listing
1. Pilgrim
2. Lucky Me
3. Mary
4. California
5. Day One
6. Out In The Park
7. Vertigo
8. When Another Midnight
9. Score
10. Your Wish Is My Wish
11. Wake Up
12. Somebody's Arms (Hidden Track)