Local folk-rock band The Low End recently released its first album "Housefire," a five song EP. The record offers a picture of a young band with the potential to create powerful music. "Housefire" makes up for what it lacks in length with lead singer and guitarist Dan Hornsby's skillfully crafted lyrics and high-quality production.

The Low End started as a solo project by Hornsby. About a year ago Hornsby, a sophomore in English, began playing with bassist John Goddard, also a sophomore in English, and trumpet player Kristin Henry, sophomore in interior architecture and product design. As a trio, the band's sound was a great deal simpler than that of "Housefire."

Earlier this year, the band added Ryan Manes, freshman in industrial engineering, on drums, along with Chase Horseman, freshman in music, who plays guitar, slide guitar and synthesizer.

While The Low End has benefited greatly from the addition of new members in many ways, just as in the band's infancy, it is Hornsby who attracts fans to the group. At the band's CD release show at The Dusty Bookshelf on Jan. 20, many fans agreed it was Hornsby's lyrics that draw them to the band. Many fans are quick to compare Hornsby's lyricism to that of early Bob Dylan, who Hornsby and Goddard say is their greatest influence.

"I really like the lyrics; Dan's a really great writer and that's something I value in the music I listen to," said Apryl Wilson, sophomore in photography. "They're definitely my favorite local band."

Donna Potts, associate professor of English, said she also appreciated The Low End because of Dan's lyrics. "I think Dan is enormously talented at writing lyrics, as well as poetry," Potts said. "I'm in English, so when I hear music I go straight for the lyrics. I can't resist."

Potts said she met Hornsby and Goddard when she had them in a class.

It is not surprising Hornsby's lyrics draw such praise from the band's fans. Throughout the EP, it is often clear Hornsby's lyrics are a driving force behind the band's music.

In the second verse of "Willow Song," Hornsby sings, "The poor soul sat sitting on a sycamore tree / Her hand on her bosom, her head on her knees. /And the hanging branches shared their grief / Of a love that died like a fallen leaf."

The EP is filled with similar instances of Hornsby's carefully poetic lyricism.

To focus solely on Hornsby's lyrics, however, would be unjust to the record; which benefits greatly from the contributions of all members. Henry emphasizes the melodic nature of the songs through her catchy trumpet lines. Horseman adds important layering and complexity on many of the songs.

"One of my ways of approaching some of the songs was to kind of to offset the folkiness, ... adding a little bit of noise or at the beginning of ‘Little Tune' adding those weird delay sounds," Horseman said of his role in the band's sound.

Almost as notable as the music on "Housefire" is the quality of the recording itself. The entire EP was recorded at the home of Nick Istas, senior in humanities. Istas has produced albums for several other local bands, including The Ruckus' last album.

Istas' role in the EP seems most clear in the mixing. Had the same recording been mixed poorly, the album might have sounded muddled and amateur. Thanks to Istas' attention to detail the final product sounds professional and clean.

As much as has been said in favor of The Low End and "Housefire," the group is not without flaw. At times during its live show, the band felt a bit disjointed, and it was clear the band could benefit from additional practice and playing together.

On the record, however, this aspect is far less apparent. While the members might be young musicians capable of improving their skills by large degrees, there is clearly potential for their sound and style to develop and for them to create more complex and powerful music.

However, The Low End will not be playing together again until next fall. Hornsby and Goddard are studying abroad in England for the semester. The band plans on resuming when the two return.

To listen to songs by The Low End, visit myspace.com/alowend. "Housefire" can be purchased at Sisters of Sound in Aggieville and will soon be available on iTunes.