Tomorrow might be better

Eisley - Room Noises
(Reprise Records)
2 1/2 stars (out of 5 stars)
Reviewed: Mar. 16, 2005

Review by Andy Argyrakis

While most young, upstart bands crave the attention of their peers, tirelessly playing around the area and hoping to score that all coveted record deal, the Texas based Eisley simply made music in hopes of beating boredom. As if having a small town, suburban upbringing wasn't enough to spark the fire, four out of the five members were home-schooled siblings without the entertainment of school functions or cable TV. With this obvious lack of activity, sisters Chauntelle and Sherri DuPree started their musings at 15 and 13 respectively, slowly reeling in their younger relatives and friend Jonathan Wilson. The five-piece outfit not only expanded their friendships, but also dreamed up a somewhat varied base of acoustic pop and ethereal rock with southern tipped leanings, that upon refinement with time (Chauntelle is now 22) led to opening slots with Coldplay and a deal with Reprise Records.
Room Noises is the first official outpouring within that venture, picking off where a sparse 2003 Laughing City EP left off that led to additional road time with Snow Patrol, Brand New and most recently New Found Glory. Like that hodgepodge of artists, Eisley does demonstrate an array of sounds, some of which are executed better than others. The disc starts in the constructive direction with slightly twanged folk of "Memories," packed tightly with sweet female harmonies and stuttering drums. It's followed by the even more cheerful in comparison "Telescope Eyes" and hook heavy approach that perhaps incorporates some of Brit-pop influences from its tour mates. The melodic glow of "Brightly Wound" also falls within the ethereal mindset, as does the piano plated dreaminess of "One Day I Slowly Floated Away."
Despite these crests, the disc also suffers from many less appealing moments, such as the slowly droning acoustics of "Just Like We Do" and the much drowsier "Lost At Sea." "Golly Sandra," complete with tambourine slaps and sunshiny guitars, seems overly bubbly, while "Trolley Wood" is stuck in campfire silliness, complete with a choir of hand snaps and clapping upon its conclusion. Such follies are not enough to completely discredit Eisley and its convincing direction at times, though it will take a bit more consistent might should the group desire to last for the long run.