Putting your most straightforward song first on your CD is not always the best idea, as this gently engaging little five-song EP proves.

These locals open up their debut with a faux-sassy blues shuffle called “Busy” that plays to their weaknesses (attitude, vocals) and not to their strengths (the fascinating interplay of the band). It’s utterly unlike anything else that follows.

This is a good thing. This is not to say that “Busy” is horrible, but given the soothing, dark and shifting textures of their jamband jazziness on the other four cuts, you have to wonder why they didn’t just get to it right off. Especially since this IS an album of good jams—a fact made most evident by drummer Endre Landsnes and guitarist (and band MVP) Mark Fowler, who guides the action expertly with his Pat Metheny-styled playing.

Liese Dettmer’s worldview is similarly upbeat (if somewhat generic) if the lyrics are any indication, although they vary wildly from the fascinating textures of “Krystine” to the stock clichés of “In This Moment.”

Liese’s Living Room is comfortable, no doubt, but what’s really interesting here is the décor, not the company.