Eisley
The Valley


4.5
superb

Review

by Trey STAFF
February 25th, 2011 | 279 replies


Release Date: 2011 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Not even the harsh realities of daily life can force this band to deliver anything other than another warm, comforting collection of songs.

Eisley’s music has always been the kind of thing that you could listen to after a hard day and almost immediately feel relaxed. Such is the power of the DuPree sisters’ voices and the lush, laid-back music that accompanies them. This has allowed their albums to consistently provide a pervasive atmosphere of uplifting serenity – an escape from the real world. This shouldn’t really come as a surprise once you consider the fact that they started as the house band for their local church, and despite their subsequent fame, they’ve never really strayed from their wholesome beginnings – although it should be stressed that they’re not considered a Christian band. Eisley’s third album, The Valley, still retains the same formula that made past albums so comforting, but harsh reality has finally created a bit of grey around the edges.

The promotional material that accompanies this album is quick to point out that just about every member of this band has endured some sort of tribulation and/or hardship since the release of their sophomore album and it is definitely apparent. That statement isn’t supposed to imply that Eisley have suddenly become edgy or jaded, though, because nothing could be further from the truth. It’s just that buried within a sound that is still very much focused on the sweet vocals of the DuPree sisters is a feeling that life hasn’t been nice lately. The album’s second track, “Smarter”, sums it up perfectly when Stacy sings, “If I sound angry, I’m sorry. This body can only cry for so long. And if you want to blame me, then go on. I’m smiling now because I’m smarter than you think.” In order to capitalize on the blunt lyrical content, the band pushes towards a more riff-oriented direction than a majority of their previous output. Of course, these riffs are still contrasted with melodious backing vocals and subtle piano flourishes that help maintain the peaceful atmospheres that the band are really known for. In fact, no matter how dismal things become, the band never loose sight of what really makes them special.

Clean, crisp guitars mix with harmonized vocals; keyboard and piano provide comforting ambience, and leisurely tempos deliver graceful lyrics all in an effort to create an overall sound that is smooth and full of hooks. Eisley’s range of influences seem to pull as much from bands such as The Carpenters or The Beatles as they do any modern act, and it’s what allows them to stand out. It’s what gives songs such as the title track its lush uplifting feel and the ability to come off as playful, yet intelligent. It’s the reason “Kind” can come off like a modern reinterpretation of an old-time love song with its bubbly piano melody and Broadway play-like violin accompaniment. This is the same formula the band had already perfected by the time they released their debut, and a little bit of grey around the edges certainly wasn’t going to ruin it. No – as opening track “The Valley” clearly displays, a few bumps in the road of life aren’t going to suddenly force Eisley to deliver anything other than the uplifting, relaxing music that they’ve always excelled at.

It’s hard to find any real faults with Eisley’s latest album, The Valley. Sure, it’s essentially the same formula that they’ve always used, but that’s probably what most fans would like. Nobody wants to see Eisley lose the endearing warmth that makes their music so easy to listen to, and on The Valley nobody is going to have to. Granted, the album is less cheery and a bit rougher around the edges, but the core sound is still quintessentially Eisley. What really matters is that The Valley is full of the kind of music that you can throw on at the end of a rough day and feel immediately at peace – harsh realities be damned.



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user ratings (241)
3.8
excellent
other reviews of this album
Gyromania (4)
The Valley is comfortably Eisley’s most accessible album to date, and one of the most genuine and ...

muzikdizcovery (4)
Love, sadness, hate, and anger are all put together to create an extremely emotional indie-pop recor...



Comments:Add a Comment 
Willie
Moderator
February 26th 2011


20295 Comments

Album Rating: 3.8

Album is streaming here:



http://www.spin.com/articles/exclusive-stream-eisleys-new-album

theacademy
Emeritus
February 26th 2011


31865 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

5'ing this so hard

FatChickIrl
February 26th 2011


4095 Comments


Woah

GulliKyro
February 26th 2011


357 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Yea lyrically its incredibly caustic, but its delivered in a superb manner.

Willie
Moderator
February 26th 2011


20295 Comments

Album Rating: 3.8

Agreed. I was definitely surprised at first, though.

bloc
February 26th 2011


70670 Comments


The women in this band are quite attractive. Thus, I may listen to this.

cvlts
February 26th 2011


9943 Comments


4.5'd band rocks so hardsoft

Knott-
Emeritus
February 26th 2011


10260 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

This is such a fucking awesome album.

mvdu
February 26th 2011


992 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

You know, your review complely changed my mind. You know a review is good when it does that. Took a listen on different speakers and see what you are saying about the crisp arrangements.

Slum
February 26th 2011


2580 Comments


Nice review dude, gonna check this out

myhigherpie
February 26th 2011


3029 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Listened because of the attractive women. Stayed because the music is amazing.

AlexTM510
February 26th 2011


1473 Comments


im only going to listen to this if it goes well with my christian coffee in the christian coffee shop....



kidding, in fact first time listening to this and mannn this is awesome! hella hooky

Willie
Moderator
February 26th 2011


20295 Comments

Album Rating: 3.8

Cool, I'm glad people are checking this out. That review for their debut is amusing but I think it kind of gave people the wrong idea about the band.

Irving
Emeritus
February 26th 2011


7496 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

Great review Willie. I might just check this out.

Tyrael
February 26th 2011


21108 Comments


Buh, nice review Willie.

DaveyBoy
Emeritus
February 26th 2011


22502 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Great review Trey... I'm sold.



But I'm only gonna listen to it after a tough day at work!

radianteclipse
February 26th 2011


513 Comments


Damn, a 4.6 even after 17 votes? I know that's not that many votes..but it's still impressive. I must check this out. Maybe it'll finally be something good enough to break this Jezabels kick I've had lately.

bloc
February 26th 2011


70670 Comments


Smarter and Sad are nice songs

Athom
Emeritus
February 26th 2011


17244 Comments


this is the best thing i've heard from 2011 so far.

CelestialDust
February 26th 2011


3170 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

good shit here



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