Customer Reviews

Laughing City

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Appearances can be deceptive. From just the look of Eisley's five members (on the back of this CD sleeve), you would think they were a teen pop group. But don't let the picture fool you -- they are one of the most promising and worthwhile rock bands in quite some time.

The five songs on "Laughing City" are certainly worth it. It kicks off with the slow-paced, meditative "I Wasn't Prepared," the more searing, rejection-themed "Telescope Eyes" ("please don't make me cry/I'm just like you I know you know/I'm just like you so leave me alone!"), the more upbeat and catchy "Tree Tops," dreamlike "Over the Mountains," and finishing off with the quiet, sweeter "Laughing City."

Harmonization sounds as easy as breathing to Eisley, which is saying something. The high, clear vocals synchronize perfectly with the swirling, rising guitar chords and layered keyboards; often the singing seems like an instrument itself, such as Sherri's soaring waver in "Over the Mountains." The result is music that is smooth and soothing, but not poppish.

The lyrics are even simpler, but they know their stuff. All written by the band (probably in their bedrooms -- one of the best places to write songs, they say), the songs brim over with evocative imagery ("with lightbulbs in our pockets/we light the darkened forests") mixed with deceptively simple lyricism, the sort that speaks of real talent rather than the same old stuff.

Currently touring with Coldplay, Eisley gives a dimension to rock that hasn't been explored enough. And it's clear, listening to "Laughing City," that they have plenty of dimensions to explore. If this is what these young musicians are starting off with, then their future stuff will be out of this world.

Imagine for a moment that Bjork took her piano and electronic beats and got with Radiohead's more alternative sound. Mix that with a spice of the Beatles (yet again who doesn't) and you'll more than likely end up with Eisley. I had the pleasure of witnessing this band live twice. Once it was opening up for a local Dallas band (The Broadcast), and the second was opening up for Coldplay. Thats how fast this band's success has risen. "I Wasn't Prepared" starts the EP off in good fashion with mellow dramatic lyrics with the same type of music. "Tree Tops" is very reminiscent of Bjork's "Venus As A Boy" except with a more carnival feel and with guitars. "Over The Mountains" is probably the best cut on here and probably the catchiest song on the effort. Most of the time with EPs that are that good, it only gets better (Tool-Opiate, NiN-Broken). So i'd expect an even better outing with the full length. They have certainly risen the bar for the major label debut, but hopefully they can pull through. I'd totally recommend this for fans of Bjork, Radiohead, or Dredg. For the moment, this is pretty hard to find in any Best Buy or Circuit City. So i'd just buy it from cdnow if you don't want to go through the trouble.

So out of nowhere come a bunch of teenagers from Texas (4 siblings plus a friend, the female lead singer is 15, yes you read right) with this debut EP, which is nothing short of incredible. Musically, Eisley reminds me of a dreamier version of Sixpence None the Richer, with a splash of Poe and also Libbie Schrader (Think of England) for good measure.

"Laughing City" (5 tracks, 18 min.) starts of with arguably its weakest song, a tentative "I Wasn't Prepared", but after that all cylinders are on. "Telescope Eyes" comes on with a great guitar riff in the chorus. "Tree Tops" is the best song here, with great interplay between keyboards and guitar riffs. "Over the Mountain" is another hard-charging tune. The EP closes with the reflective title track, just beautiful.

Since the release of this EP in Spring 2003, Eisley released an equally stunning follow-up EP ("Marvelous Things") in late 2003. I can't wait for the debut album later this year. Meanwhile, by all means, buy this!

You've heard nothing like this before! This is the perfect music to listen to on a cold winter's night alone drinking a cup of tea. Have one listen to "Telescope Eyes" and you'll find your new favorite band. The music is soft, melodic, emotional, dark at times, but always lovely. Be sure to check out their full length debut album "Room Noises"

I saw Eisley at Coachella, SXSW and several Dallas shows.I had the pleasure of listening to thier demo stuff for several months and finally the Laughing City ep.'I Wasn't Prepaired" brings to mind classic Lennon compositions while 'Telescope Eyes" will certainly have their audiences singing along at live shows.
"Tree Tops" is the sleeper with ingeneous vocal improvisations and memorable instrimentals. "Over the Mountains" shows the groups technical expertise bringing to mind arrangements by Pink Floyd and Led Zepplin.The vocal harmonies are reminescent of the Mama's without the Papa's.This band is obviously way beyond thier years, ages 14 to 21. No wonder Coldplay's management snatched them up and is having them open US summer show's.The only reason I didn't rate this a 5 is because I wanted it to last longer than the 5 songs.I have heard thier other material and I can't wait for a full length cd.Those other songs will command a 5 for sure.

Growing up home-schooled and cable-less in the East Texas town of Tyler, the DuPree kids had a lot of time to develop their imaginations, carving out an odd, insular little fantasy world. Their band name is a Star Wars reference, and their music could be dubbed Narnia-pop: Singer-songwriter Stacy (the youngest at 15, she leads two sisters, a brother and a neighborhood friend) looks and sounds like something straight out of British fabulist C.S. Lewis. Here she plays Alice, guiding us through a misty, minor-key Wonderland populated by scores of "Marvelous Things" - mermaids, horses that grow from the ground, bats with butterfly wings and two-part harmonies that swoop and soar. Dorky? Sure. But with songs this full of imagination and existential yearning, Eisley can hoard their 36-sided dice and Magic cards with pride.

Well I first heard of Eisley as an opening band for Coldplay who I strongly recommend also (Shoreline Amphitheater). They were the first band and I was on lawn but could hear a parade of majestic voices coming from the stage. It was beautiful and I normally don't care for the opening band cause they normally suck but Eisley was very different and the song I guess I loved was (Over the Mountains we go) it was like I was in some different world or in a dream. Anyway I strongly recommend the CD to everyone if you enjoy Radiohead, Coldplay, and great music in general it's quite refreshing. I also heard that Coldplay front man Chris Martin practices his vocals to their music which I thought was cool so yeah, go get the CD and there new one as well (December 9th- Marvelous Things). I know Eisley will go far, totally deserve it. I hope to see them again a future concerts accept hopefully as the main band.

I saw Eisley at the Gorge in Washington two days ago, touring with Coldplay, and I was really impressed with their unique sound and lyrics. These five kids are well on their way to fame. Their cd is well-done, however short, which was disappointing. But the songs were great and enjoyable.

Eisley is AMAZING. The are musically wise beyond their years. The reason I am giving Laughing City a 4 is because I don't feel that this EP shows their true musical capabilities. In fact, I am disappointed in way. I have been listening to their indie release, EP2, for the past few months. I've seen them dozens of times around the Dallas area and at SXSW. These girls and guys are so incredible at what they do, and this EP disappoints me because the general public will not be able to see/hear/understand this. Telescope Eyes has been overproduced. To hear the original version, as it should be heard and played, you must listen to EP2 or go to their website. You must see and hear Eisley live in order to fully experience their greatness. Nonetheless, you should buy this EP in support of such an amazing group. Just know that what you are hearing isn't true Eisley...it's just a small, over produced taste.

Wow this band is insane, I have had this CD on continuous play from the day I picked it up. I saw Eisley open up for Coldplay,they were the first band to play and then there was a second band,but who cares about them I don't even remember who they were.

I guess you can compare Eisley to Bjork,or Portishead,or even Esthero but really the only things they have in common are female singers and an extreme amount of talent. If I could compare them to anyone it would be Belly and that is only because the guitar playing is similar.

Track #1 "I wasn't prepared" and Track#3 "Tree Tops" are by far the best songs on this EP,they are the two songs that really show how good this band is. The way the harmonize together is unlike anyone I have ever heard. See them live and it's even better they make it look effortless.

So the band consists of three sisters and their brother and a friend,I'm sure this isn't the ideal band for the guy's (kind of girly) but they know a good thing when they see it. I would sign up to play the spoons in this band if they asked.

Good luck to this band and I sure hope the radio doesn't overplay them,I like doing that on my own,and hey Chauntelle,Sherri,Stacy where do I sign up to get a date with one of you? :)