Eisley - The Valley
Rating
RIYL
Tori AmosMute Math
Regina Spektor
Metric
Release Date
03/01/2011
Label
Equal VisionTracklist
1 - "The Valley"2 - "Smarter"
3 - "Watch It Die"
4 - "Sad"
5 - "Oxygen Mask"
6 - "Better Love"
7 - "I Wish"
8 - "Kind"
9 - "Mr. Moon"
10 - "Please"
11 - "Ambulance"
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It's a great thing when a band releases an album that not only meets hopeful expectations, but actually manages to rise above them. Eisley manages to do just that on their newest release, The Valley; this also happens to be their first release on their new label, Equal Vision Records, after a falling out with Warner Brothers. While I did like the band's last release, Combinations, I can definitely hear a passion and reignited desire to prove a few things to the world on The Valley that might've been fading out the last time around.
Let's not mince words, the music aspect of Eisley is well done, but the thing that has always given them standout status is the harmony and talent found in the vocal department. From the first time I heard “I Wasn't Prepared” from the band's debut full-length, that was the bar by which I compared their other performances. I can happily say that every song on their newest release holds its own in league with the talents displayed in this older gem. The harmonies are beautiful at times, chill inducing at others, but throughout remain the backbone of the effort. Having said that, please don't let me discredit the musicianship too much – this album's songwriting finds the band maturing and abandoning their tendency to be a little all over the place in lieu of a tighter focus on the sounds that really work for them. There's a few slower, lusher numbers, but overall the songs are upbeat with well constructed melodies, and occasionally there's even a nice aggressive edge nestled in too (“Better Love” and “Please” being a fine examples and probably my two favorite tracks).
The lyrical content has always been pretty solid from this band, considering how young they set out on their musical journey, but even that aspect of the band sees further growth on this album. It seems that life has definitely taught the DuPrees a thing or two on loss, frustration, and acceptance in the recent years if one were to derive anything from The Valley's eleven tracks. They manage to tackle the subjects headstrong and with resiliency rather than linger in the realm of bitterness, but there still seems to be a layer or two of tenderness being exposed. This combines with the siren's call vocals to deliver even more power to each track.
While Eisley isn't reinventing or revolutionizing their genre's sound, they bring solid contributions to the table. Fans of the band will surely agree with me that this is probably their best effort to date and sounds like it will translate to a live format well. If this album is any indication what a “free-thinking” Eisley is capable of, I say let this group of siblings take the wheel from here on out because I'm about to head back in for another listen and don't forsee myself growing tired of it anytime soon.
--Jeremy Deal
Comments
Green Brook, NJ
"ambulance" is song of the year. no doubt.
Spokane, Washington
love this band. they can do no wrong.
Current Listenings:
7 Horns 7 Eyes - "Throes of Absolution"
Horse Feathers - "Cynic's New Year"
Andrew Bird - "Break It Yourself"
Sigur Ros - "Valtari"
Rocky Votolato - "Television of Saints"
Janus - "Nox Aeris"
Blues Traveler - "25"
Baton Rouge
Good, concise summation of everything this album is. By far the most mature, cohesive, and best album the Duprees have put out. I like Combinations as well, but if it had this kind of focus I would like it a lot more.
Boobs
http://thenicsperiment.blogspot.com/
Fishers, Indiana
This is really good. I've never listened to them before, but I figured I'd give it a chance. Decoy does not disappoint.
Top Albums: 2011 | 2010 | 2009 || Tumblr | Twitter
Spokane, Washington
zach, you've gotta check out their last LP, Combinations, as well!
Current Listenings:
7 Horns 7 Eyes - "Throes of Absolution"
Horse Feathers - "Cynic's New Year"
Andrew Bird - "Break It Yourself"
Sigur Ros - "Valtari"
Rocky Votolato - "Television of Saints"
Janus - "Nox Aeris"
Blues Traveler - "25"
Fishers, Indiana
So I checked out Combinations. It's alright, but I have to say that this album is a marked improvement in a lot of areas.
Top Albums: 2011 | 2010 | 2009 || Tumblr | Twitter