I love hearing all kinds of praise for a certain band, not knowing what they sound like, and finding an EP by them for cheap to dig in and discover their music. It can be intimidating to go out and right away buy a full length. If the EP sucks, then it's only $7 burned.
I am making every assumption in the world when I say that I believe that they used to be known as Mos Eisley, but recently dropped the "Mos" from their name. I did not realize that they had already released an EP as Eisley. Browsing the cd section at Circuit City (one of the cheapest places to find music of all sorts) I happily ran across this.
Excitedly I shelled out my $6.99 (plus 6% PA sales tax) and trotted to my car in the parking lot. The cover showed a dark picture of a Victorian-era family drinking tea. Flip it over and a picture of the band graces your eyes. Three girls and two guys. You single teenage guys out there may have just found your next crush. And maybe you girls, too, though I honestly cannot tell about the guys in the picture.
There are five songs on this EP. In order:
1. I Wasn't Prepared
2. Telescope Eyes
3. Tree Tops
4. Over The Mountains
5. Laughing City
Each song is solid, combining two female vocals that float and soar in harmony. The backing music has it's moments of soft, dream-like drifting and electric stargazing. The songs are crafted well, with track three being the standout track.
My only criticism of the cd is the track order. If I was in charge, I would have ordered it like this:
3. Tree Tops
4. Over The Mountains
2. Telescope Eyes
1. I Wasn't Prepared
5. Laughing City
I think that track three does a better job of establishing who Eisley is, and it catapults the cd from the start. Track one stands fine as a song, it just doesn't do a good job of starting the disc in an exciting way.
"Tree Tops" makes me feel like I'm on a carousel, bobbing up and down on a hand painted, wooden horse. The song gallups and floats. It sonically soars around in a perfect circle.
Every song is very good. Other than my little issue with the song order (easily fixed by burning another cd), I have absolutely no complaints with this EP. I look forward to any future release. Fans of Sixpence None The Richer and The Innocence Mission should eat this up.
peace.
Article comments
1 - Greg
Yep. They used to play clubs around Dallas under the ubergeek name "Mos Eisley," but recenty dropped the "Mos" when they signed the big record deal. For more on the Tyler, TX band, look here: http://www.dallasobserver.com/issues/2003-04-17/feature.html/5/index.html
2 - j3rk
Well, music that 'floats' or 'soars' is definately not in my list. Anyway, download a goddamned MP3 - join the darkside.
3 - Mark Saleski
dangit, this has been on my stuff-to-review pile for a month or so.
i'll check it out again tonight.
4 - Shauna
WELL, although I live in East Texas, and have seen this band at the Revelation Room, and even though everyone is obsessed with them.........I don't like them........why you ask? Her voice, I swear, is exactly like Sixpence None the richer's lead singer (forgot her name)........their music all sounds the same to me......and it's just irritating I suppose. I don't understand why everyone loves them so much, they aren't that great.......
5 - lexi
Dude I just heard Eisley the other day and I peronsally think that they're awesome!!! I've been trying to find thier CD and stuff but can't seem to get it. Well I hope that i get it soon...bye ppl :)
6 - chasd00
i have a fansite with a lot of older and unreleased songs and the entire first ep available for download ( all band approved ). www.straylight6.org/mp3.htm