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I may be one of the only people in the continental United States, North America, or the world who's really been digging Lost and Found for several years. Um, let's check that idea. The duo, comprised of George Baum (vocals, keyboards, recorder, percussion and slinky) and Michael Bridges (vocals, guitars) has played and recorded together for many years, and they call their style "traditional non-traditional Lost and Found" or more apropos, "speedwood." Their 2002 project, Something Different, is produced by Jonathan Rundman. Lost and Found has drawn a crowd or two at youth gatherings.

Never heard of Lost and Found? Visit the Speedwood website immediately and hear audio clips. I can certainly understand some music purists complaining, "Their voices are shrill! The instrumentation is pared down and sparse! It can't get any worse!" Such an outlook doesn't do justice to the duo, who has turned out an excellent recording with Something Different and an incredibly unique take on hymns with Speedwood Hymns.

Speedwood Hymns made me laugh the first time I heard it. I grew up singing every single hymn on this recording, including "Holy Holy Holy," "My Hope is Built on Nothing Less" (above two have been recorded umpteen zillion times by many current praise and worship bands), "All Glory Laud and Honor," "Lift High the Cross," and "Crown Him with Many Crowns." The "speedwood" sound is a fast-paced piano and guitar which is almost danceable! (Think early Jerry Lee Lewis.) My initial laugh was a reaction of "I can't believe they're doing this!" (the same reaction I had when I heard the Insyderz' recording of Keith Green's "Oh Lord, You're Beautiful"). However, the more I listen to the CD ("recorded by George Baum at various soundchecks"), the more I love it. Its only true problem is that the "speedwood" pace just never slows down! It's almost frenetic, but I want to see these guys perform these hymns in concert!

Something Different is obviously a labor of love, with two sets of each song, one in its basic guitar-piano formation, and another dressed up beautifully by producer Jonathan Rundman. When I put this CD in my player, I immediately had aural sensings of Public Library or (Jonathan and Beki Hemingway's) Tennesota, and when the extra instrumentation kicked in with the second set of tracks, I heard some elements reminiscent of Sound Theology, Field Recordings, and even the To the Roof of the Sky era of Vigilantes of Love. Rundman's production fits hand-in-glove with Lost and Found.

Mustn't forget the songs! Lost and Found has been praise and worship since the late '80s, and "Raise Him Up" has that "speedwood" quality from the hymns project plus some rock 'n' roll. The duo has always been known for amazing youth groups with songs that are original, fun, and catchy. "Multiply," "Elijah," and "Everybody Matters" are this set's standouts. I did wonder just a little bit, after hearing "Saskatchewan" (the "fun" tune), why I was thinking about Five Iron Frenzy's "Oh, Canada."

Both projects are incredibly unique listening; in short, Something Different is more crisply produced and has more variety, and Speedwood Hymns is fun. The latter is an enhanced CD with PDF files with lyrics, chords, and group discussion guides.

Speedwood Hymns: 

Something Different: 

Olin Jenkins   Thursday, February 7, 2005