kathy zimmer: spare key EP

Spare Key, the third release from US singer-songwriter Kathy Zimmer, is a rather unusual creature, as you’ll quickly discover from its very first moments. Opening number ‘In The Park With George’ eschews the conventional approach to songwriting by taking a leaf out of Bridget Jones’s book and reading like an excerpt from a diary, including the precise day that the song was written and a list of all the food consumed on that date. Better still, the secrets hidden within the EP’s appealing monochrome artwork come wrapped in and are revealed by Zimmer’s enchanting classical/folk hybrid vocals. Backed by summery percussion and a dancing bassline that emulates a spontaneous bandstand performance, Zimmer takes us through the minute details of the discussion that took place in the park in question whilst revelling in the simple glory of tiny pleasures like the sensation of bare feet stroked by blades of grass. It’s compulsive listening, and as Zimmer hangs on for George’s call at the end, she’s not the only one left waiting to hear more.

‘My Friend To The End’ is, as the title suggests, a charming tribute to friendship, cherishing that elusive person who reassures in times of hardship and who is “part of [her] fingerprint now”. Like a friend who goes the distance, the EP finds a vibrant richness in the carefully arranged backing vocals, giving the songs some oomph with their presence. Don’t be fooled, however, Zimmer isn’t all sweetness and light. After a sweet-natured intro, ‘Arms Crossed’ enters far less whimsical territory, introducing Zimmer’s shadier side with subtly menacing accordion blending with seditious lyrics. Summer continues unexpectedly darkly and brings a muffled, slightly sinister drumbeat into play in a tale of hopeful loss and the belief that it’s possible to build something out of that which has become jaded.

Zimmer’s band members are never background players and command as much ear space as Zimmer herself; the plaintive lone trumpet in ‘All You Need To Know’ must be mentioned for its ability to lend atmosphere in a simple melody, as does the saxophone in ‘Whatever Gets U Thru The Day’. The latter is the EP’s undisputed highlight. A lyrically intricate offering paired with a simple acoustic guitar, sax and gentle percussion, it’s infinitely listenable and rewards with every listen.

Spare Key is both playful and serious, cleverly revealing a variety of sounds and moods as well as showcasing the fantastic band. If Zimmer has been saving her best songs for a full-length album, who knows what other wonders she’ll come up with next?

[Self-released; August 6, 2007]

Written by: Gem Nethersole

Tags: kathy zimmer, spare key EP

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 7th, 2007 at 2:24 pm and is filed under albums & EPs, reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.