Often we are so busy shining the spotlight on larger artists from around the world, we forget to take a look around here for some great musicians. So to rectify this, we went looking around and turned up quite a gem: Austin’s In the Works, a pop-rock band born out of the University of Texas music program in 2010.

After two years of club gigs, In the Works managed to secure a spot in the My Band Rocks Fox contest and proceeded to wipe the floor with the competition, earning a slot at last year’s SXSW and enough studio time to record a single. Now, a year after that success, In the Works have finally put out their debut five-song EP “Ever Upward.”  

The really striking thing about the record is the amazing production, courtesy of CJ Eriksson, who has manned the boards for U2 and Phish, among others. But obviously it is the band that matters, and “Ever Upward” is a knock out of the park if ever there was one, a great calling card for In the Works if and when they go in search of a deal, since I can see it equally catering to music lovers and hit-hungry radio executives.

The band sounds tight and professional and the songwriting is incredible. I sang along with everything, my favorites being the country-pop overtones of “Don’t Say” and the infectious “Imperfect Timing.”

I only had one qualm. When I saw In the Works perform live, there were many more guitar solos then than there are on this record. Lead guitarist Hayden Thomas shines when he does play a solo, but it feels understated and slightly buried.

But that aside, I will defy anyone to find a better local band, and I hope they get massive very soon.