Track 11: Plenty of Paper:
Last week on October 28th, G and I drove hours to see Eisley in Toronto for a meer half hour or so in concert. Where we live is not a good location for touring bands to come to, so we are frequently required to drive a distance to see most bands we wish to see, including Eisley from Texas. It did seem like a lot of effort to see Eisley, who was not the headliner, but it was worth it.
Eisley is not one of the most well known bands. Chauntelle, Sherri, Stacy, and Weston DuPree are all siblings and relatively recent addition to the band, Garron DuPree, is their cousin. They have toured under bands such as Brand New, Snow Patrol and Coldplay, thus adding to their credibility in the industry. I think they are a treasure in the musical world. Their songs contain elements from another world, light and solemn, but not without frolic. It was good to be able to see them perform and get a glimpse of their dynamic and personality. It was a pity they did not have more time, though they were indeed performing while quite ill. One of the sisters on guitar (Chauntelle I think) was unable to sing one of the songs and stopped it within the first measure or two, and was practically hunched over during the last couple songs, closing with “Invasion” from their 2007 album “Combinations”.
They started out in the coffee shop run by their parents, and I am sad to say it would probably have been a better venue accoustically. The Phoenix Theatre in Toronto, though a very cool space for a club/music hall, had attrocious accoustics. The sound was flat and at times I’d swear the band was being drowned out by the talking and ambient sound. Aside from the venue, I also blame the guy on the mixing board who seemed almost lost during the sound check (never promising for the band). They would be much more suited to a venue intended for an orchestra or live theatre.
Regardless I hope Eisley comes to the area again sometime as the headliner. G and I did not stay for Sherri’s husband’s band, “Say Anything”, the headliner (sorry Sherri… they’re just not as good as you guys are). We did however do our regular trip to the Canadian grocery store to pick up the goodies we are unable to purchase in the USA like Ketchup Potato Chips (think Salt & Vingear Potato Chips with a little sweetness and a little tomato flavor… so good!), Coffee Crisp chocolate candy bars, and Kinder Eggs among others. Now that Mexican Coca-Cola is available in the USA, we passed on the Canadian Coca-Cola (both made with real sugar, unlike the high-fructose crap they sell in the USA… Why do we have to go to other countries to buy better Coke when it was invented here? I don’t know.) Oh and of course we stopped at Tim Hortons, not the one in the grocery store we went to or the one in the gas station across the road, no the one on the corner between the two. (Yes, 3 Tim Hortons in sight of each other. Canadian’s love their Tim Hortons!)
I think all you Death Cab For Cutie, The Decemberists, Dixie Chicks, Imogen Heap, and Regina Spektor fans should check out Eisley if you haven’t already. For those of you who like what you hear but do not know whether to start with the first or second album, I am suggesting you start with the first “Room Noises”. It is a little more unique than “Combinations”, and perhaps a little more solid in terms of a musical theme, though I love them both, so feel to get both.
Here are my 5 favorites from the album, with “Plenty of Paper” being my favorite. It was difficult to choose the 5 because there is not a song I do not like…
Track 1: Memories
http://www.rhapsody.com/eisley/room-noises–reprise
Track 2: Telescope Eyes
http://www.rhapsody.com/eisley/room-noises–reprise
Track 4: Golly Sandra
http://www.rhapsody.com/eisley/room-noises–reprise
Track 11: Plenty of Paper
http://www.rhapsody.com/eisley/room-noises–reprise
Track 12: Trolley Wood
http://www.rhapsody.com/eisley/room-noises–reprise
Unfortunately I could not find the songs anywhere online except rhapsody.com without any video, but at least you get 25 free listens! Enjoy!
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Click here for more info on Eisley – “Room Noises”.
The MP3 album may be purchased here:
Eisley - Room Noises
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