Classic Italian dishes are often limited to just a few simple, yet crucial, ingredients: hand-pressed olive oil, fresh pasta and a secret-family-recipe tomato sauce. Similarly, music doesn’t need a million bells and whistles (figuratively and literally) to be good – if an artist is talented, their skills will shine. In the case of Thurlow’s humble, four-track Spokes EP, which debuted yesterday, less is definitely more.

Laurel Kathleen previously featured this husband-wife team from Washington D.C. after their performance at Silverlake Lounge in L.A. last month. Together, Augustus Green and Jacqueline Caruso weave seemingly-simple beats and instrumental parts into an “eclectic combination of styles and well-written songs [that give] their sound a unique, yet highly appealing edge,” according to Kathleen.

“The Hour Glass,” the first track on the Spokes EP, gives a winding, trancelike start to the album. The two alternate on lead vocals: Green gets the first and last tracks, while Caruso claims the middle songs. “Through Your Eyes” gives off a fun, bouncy vibe, though its lyrics are much more soul-searching (“if I could just hold onto you / long enough for you / to make a change, a change in me / then would I be free?”). Green is a good singer, but I really love Caruso’s voice – it’s so ethereal, yet strong and supported at the same time. Because of this, I’d have to say “All The Riches” is my favorite song from Spokes; it really shows off her vocal range. “Tidal Waves” is an upbeat, somewhat gritty track, thanks to Green’s 60s-inspired rock guitar riffs.

Thurlow’s next gig will be Feb. 25 at The Mime in L.A. The Spokes EP is available for listening and downloading here. Keep up with Thurlow on MySpace, Facebook and Twitter.