By Amanda May Metzger

Wyatt Funderburk’s EP Fleeting and Finite is a six-track tribute to the intangible – life’s magic we try to hold, only for it to slip through our fingers like sand  – uncontrollable like time, love or the changing seasons.

That may sound like a melancholy theme, but Funderburk captured the bright side of nostalgia with a masterfully-arranged synth silver lining. Yes, special moments – falling in love, watching a leaf turn from gold to green, the first snowfall, raising a child – seem fleeting yet immensely powerful. Even with the twinge of sadness that they are over, you smile because these moments weave together create something truly special.

You may know Funderburk from his bass and vocals in The Beach Boys tribute band Sail On or his in-depth podcast by the same name, which gladly guides listeners down The Beach Boys rabbit hole. Born in Mississippi and now living in Nashville, Funderburk has a remarkable ability to produce tracks with precision and care. He studied composition and audio production at Belmont University and SAE Institute and produces a variety of projects in his own studio. The EP was written, performed, recorded, and mixed by Funderburk with Todd Patton on the drums. Additional engineering by Mark Galup, Ross McAllister, and Rich Kelly III. Fleeting and Finite was mastered by Justin Perkins. The photo on the cover that matches the tracks so beautifully with its warm autumn light was taken by Kurt Baker.

This EP opens with a song called “November,” featuring lovely acoustic guitar and dreamy lyrics that evoke the feeling of lying in a pile of leaves. “November / Like the song I have yet to write / Comes softly in the night,” Funderburk sings, reminding us of fall’s fleeting nature. We wait weeks for the foliage to peak, only for the wind to knock the leaves down – or for an early snow to cut the season short.

Then comes “You’ll Know,” which showcases Funderburk’s mastery of synths. This song captures the energy and fresh perspective of falling in love. “There’s just no way to take it slow,” he sings, perfectly encapsulating that electric moment when love takes hold.

A hallmark of a great album is when a song lingers in your mind days later. For me, “Transit of Venus” has become a standout track. It starts with a nostalgic cassette playback and synths reminiscent of ELO’s “Here Is the News,” a classic from their 1981 Time album, which similarly explores the ephemeral nature of time. On Funderburk’s YouTube channel, he breaks down this session and discusses the synthesizers used, mentioning Jeff Lynne and the layering of acoustic guitars. He also uses the vocoder on this track, so if you’re a fan of the robot voice this one’s for you. Speaking of robots, he uses a Prophet-5 synth which might give you Stan Bush vibes – you’ll recognize the synth when you hear it. Another interesting fact – you might notice the synth best known for Laura Palmer’s theme in Twin Peaks (R.I.P David Lynch). Todd Patton plays drums on the album, which was originally recorded 10 years ago, Funderburk tells us.

The beginning of “Anna” gave me chills, again bringing to mind transitions between tracks on Time. Its vibrant lyrics evoke the bittersweet feeling of seeing bare branches after the leaves have fallen. “I was starting to feel like I was into something good / With my foot on the gas at last I crashed and burned like the fire of a dying star,” Funderburk sings.

The second-to-last song, “Between Birthdays,” features the album’s title and brings to mind the phrase, “The days are long, but the years are short.” The world keeps turning, and while we grow older, there is so much to cherish between birthdays – especially love. The song gently reminds us not to get caught up in mundane routines and to appreciate the beauty in everyday moments.

The EP closes with “Olivia,” featuring a cassette playback of a snowy forecast. “Snow’s coming down in Parkside,” Wyatt sings the weather forecast to close out the EP and we hear his footsteps in the snow. You’re left longing for more, much like how fall leaves you yearning as it fades into winter – but even winter has its own beauty. 

In short, this lovely and heartfelt album left me wanting to slow down and savor every fleeting moment. Fleeting and Finite is a reminder to cherish the magic of life, even as it slips through our fingers. 

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