Empty Spaces, the latest EP from Lost & Nameless opens with a title track that is perhaps best described as an Americana tango. Â So right from the get-go you know this is going to be an interesting listen. Â The remainder of the record does not disappoint. Â Lost & Nameless is an Austin-based group composed of 4 band members who have made their names and careers (though lead singer Kimberly Zielnicki is still a teenager) elsewhere and except for Zielnicki have been playing together on and off for 20 years. Â Clearly they enjoy each other’s company and the EP really captures that spirit.
Little Tornado is a metaphor for a busy bee, and includes some nice “sound effects” with piano, guitar and fiddle imitating a buzzing insect. Â Proud is in the same Americana vein, but with a 70’s rock sound with electric organ. Â Adrian’s Lullaby features Zielnicki’s vocals and, appropriately, is mostly acoustic. Â The EP finishes with a two-fer of Coffee and Lime Rock, a couple of rousing instrumental pieces.
By dint of comparison, the debut album from Austin musician Cody Jasper opens with Black Cadillac, an old blues cotton-field style chant updated with some tasty steel and electric guitar accompaniment. Â Instead of getting up and dancing, you sit mesmerized in your chair, swaying back and forth to the beat. Â At that point though, the album picks you by the scruff of the neck and shakes you. Â From here on, it’s southern blues and rock & roll in the style of the Vaughn brothers or maybe J.J. Grey. Â There’s lots of guitar and some feedback and even a little vocal homage to Robert Plant in his youth.
Deal is dirty and swampy and funky, and somehow just a little familiar, like some vague memory from youth. Â Rosemary is a little slower and leans heavier on the blues than any of the other tunes bar Black Cadillac. Â Evil Woman is the loudest song on the record with feedback and fuzz and it certainly makes a statement. Â Snow White puts a little hip-hop flavor in the guitar blues stew, and I have to say it’s a potent mix that left me wanting more.
Both Lost & Nameless and Cody Jasper set me up to anticipate hearing more from them. Â In the case of Empty Spaces, it’s a studio effort that leads me to want to hear this bunch of crack musicians in a live setting. Â In the case of Jasper, it’s the idea that here’s someone doing things just a touch differently than all the young, famous, Texas blues guitar players you hear about, and excitement about where he takes his music next.
About the author: I've actually driven from Tehatchapee to Tonopah. And I've seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night.