In March of 2008, Sam Humans and The Heliogoats stayed in a rental house together while performing at SXSW. The two acts formed a bond and decided to work on a project together. The result is a ten song split EP, Live Free & Let Loose.

Sam Humans, formerly Modernstate, opens the EP with “Hate Is The New Love.” Singing/talking in an authoritative tone, Sam Humans delivers a sermon of semi-depressing lyrics interlaced with synthesizer melodies and electric guitar. The song grew on me, to be honest. Sam Humans has something to say, and he says it with a gravelly-voiced intensity I really like.

Some of the songs on Sam Humans’ side of the EP feel quite experimental, as if he found a riff or an idea he liked and jammed on it for a couple of minutes. “Firedrill” and “Can’t Stop The Sun” feel incomplete to me. Perhaps Sam Humans wants the listener to fill in the blanks, but I was left wishing the songs developed into something more.

“Cold, Cold Whisky” is definitely my favorite from Sam Humans. The ethereal opening collides with crackling synth noises and whining guitars, diverging into simple yet profound lyrics that any drinker understands: “I have burned another day without spending any money. This is not counting whisky, which is not spending, but investing, in my failing mental health.” It’s another short song, but it, unlike the two songs mentioned above, feels like a complete thought.

The Heliogoats are a four piece from Bellingham, Washington, home of Death Cab For Cutie. I seem to love anything out of Bellingham. The Heliogoats are sassy and fun. Their songs are upbeat and full of fun percussion and great guitar licks. “A Word From Our Sponsor” features Chris Otepka’s lilting voice, which cracks splendidly throughout the song. I love listening to singers with distinct voices, and Otepka’s is definitely that. He also adds in cute asides throughout the song, such as a grunt or a silly word, which I loved.

“Turn Down The Offer” is much more melodic, with Otepka’s band mates joining in for nice harmonies. The Heliogoats excel at catchy, quickly delivered choruses, the kind for which you feel proud of finally being able to sing. To me, that denotes intelligence and thought from a band. I’m a fan.

“Moon See, Day See” is a meditation on nature and the moon, and relationships in general. Again, the song features smart lyrics that stuck in my head, like: “It took a sundial and a weathervane to bring it to my attention that I was connected directly to the moon.” The Heliogoats like to step lyrically around a thought, as if they are displaying their stream of consciousness for all to see.

My favorite song of all on the EP is “Boil Over” by the Heliogoats. They definitely saved the best for last. The song is jaunty, desperate and a little bit angry all at once. I love the mixture of emotions in the lyrics and music. It’s beautiful!

If you live in Washington, you can see Sam Humans in Seattle January 20 at The Mix and January 22 at Healthy Times Fun Club.

The Heliogoats are set to release a full length album sometime in 2011. No shows are scheduled right now, but I’ll be keeping my eye out!

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