Eisley - Fire kite EP (Digital)

Eisley have always been a discreet band. Each release from the Texan familial band (three sisters, a brother, a cousin) has been out with small promotion and buzz. Still, their fanbase is really consistent and devoted. The band once again proves them their gratitude and their love for spontaneous EPs with 'Fire kite EP'.

This 4-song record is originally a tour-only EP Eisley just released for their shows with Say Anything. But there's also a digital version available for the ones not being lucky to witness the tour. The first two tracks are unmixed versions of songs featured on the upcoming album. 'Ambulance' is a gorgeous piece of alternative rock, with a piano/voice intro slowly breaking into a full-band musical highlight. Stacy DuPree's strong vocals and the lyrics that seem to be about her sister Sherri's divorce with New Found Glory's Chad Gilbert ("I built a monument for the love we used to know / But that is far removed / And you say that I'm gonna be okay / [...] / 'Cause I was told to get out / Told to leave / Told I have my things in the parking lot") are incredibly powerful when joined by the dark instrumentation of her bandmates. This may be one of the best songs Eisley have ever written. When they released their first EP on a label, Stacy was only 14 and you can tell, six years later, how much her and the other members have grown as musicians. 'The valley' is a pretty indie-pop song that sounds more like their previous album. It is hard to tell both of these tracks are unmixed when hearing how polished they are. The two garage band demos are far less memorable though. 'Away we go' is a slow and sweet keyboard-driven song without any specially great moment and '192 days' is a classical acoustic tune that will make you feel like you're listening to a 1950's radio song you can hear in old movies. The tour EP version thus seems more interesting, as 'Away we go' is replaced by Sherri's husband and Say Anything's frontman Max Bemis's cover of Eisley's 'Telescope eyes'.

Eisley's honesty and unpretentiousness remain unwavering and if 'Ambulance' and 'The valley' are any indication, fans can have their hopes high for their new album, preticted to be out in February, as the new material may be their best yet.

3.5/5

Recommanded if you like:
Rilo Kiley, Copeland, Lydia
Check also:
Vedera, Ambulette, Now, Now Every Children

www.myspace.com/eisley