Lost and Found

On this EP, singer/songwriter and Sons of Anarchy favorite The White Buffalo (a.k.a. Jake Smith) offers some tracks from his scheduled 2012 full-length. “The Pilot” energetically opens; it's a twangy number where Smith fantasizes about learning to fly as his band powers through what could very well be a countrified take on Iggy Pop’s “The Passenger.” The following “Every Night Every Day” plays with classic boom-bap rhythms reminiscent of Johnny Cash songs, as Smith injects that timeless outlaw formula with relevant lyrics and three-part vocal harmonies. The EP’s most haunting track is “Darkside of Town,” where organ drones and sleepy slide guitar follow a waltzing bass and drum kit. The standout song “Insane” features rich banjo tones plucking against a ramshackle rhythm section that sounds forged from junkyard parts; it sounds somewhat inspired by Mungo Jerry’s “In the Summertime.” The string-laden “Wish It Was True” closes on a heavy-hearted “Mama tried” sentiment.