Loose Boots, the first album by southern California folk band honeyhoney, has been stamped with the lyrical and musical maturity that many freshman albums lack. Many bands self-produce their first album, which often leads to musical self-indulgence. Honeyhoney managed to buck this trend by co-producing Loose Boots with Jude Cole.

Though honeyhoney has just two members – singer Suzanne Santo and guitarist Ben Jaffe – the music is surprisingly complex. Since there are only five songs on the album, Santo and Jaffe have precious little time to showcase their talents

“Little Toy Gun” and “Give Yourself To Me” provide and energetic kick-off to the album. Both are infused with a tinge of spice for a bit of a south-of-the-border feel, though once the violin kicks in the background of “Give Yourself To Me,” the sound moves closer to rockabilly.

The next few tracks are more subdued and showcase the versatility of Santo’s infectious voice. Though Ben Jaffe composed all but one song --“Give Yourself To Me,” which Santo co-wrote with him – Santo finds a way of making the lyrics wholly her own. “David,” the album’s last track, has a certain tenderness that some singers have difficulty expressing when not singing their own songs. Yet Santo succeeds in bringing the David in the song to life, convincing listeners that he is a man she once knew.

The trouble with listening to an extended play, or EP, album is usually its length. Honeyhoney’s Loose boots is no exception. After starting with bang, the last few songs – including “David” – slip into a mellower and finally a somewhat melancholy tone. This extreme change in mood calls for a song order reversal; it just makes more sense to end the album on an upbeat note. And with a few mouse-clicks, the reordered album produces fifteen minutes of aural pleasure, transforming the album to a pressure cooker with the last track reaching a crescendo.

But do not let a little squabble over the order of tracks dissuade you from listening to or seeing this promising new band. Honeyhoney will be opening for Lifehouse at the 9:30 Club April 4th. Though tickets sold out a few days after they went on sale, keep your hands and wallets ready for the few tickets the venue usually releases on the day of the show – just be sure to get there early.