I’ll freely admit that the name of this blog was inspired by an Eisley song. The song (Marvelous Things) is pretty incredible, which is no surprise - I’ve yet to hear a bad song from these kids.

Disclaimer: my musical tastes are all over the place, and my work with a radio station forced me to listen to 350+ new CDs a year for several years. I listen to anything and everything, but only the good parts.

So, back to Eisley (or check out Eisley’s MySpace.) The quick rundown: 5 talented siblings, ranging in age from 18 to 25, who play wholesome, ethereal, intense, emotional pop-rock. A lot of my high school students are big fans, but they’ve gained a wider audience (and a contract with Warner) over the past year and are currently on tour. Recommended for: chilling out, long drives in the suburbs, growing pains.

I was introduced to Eisley two years ago by my friend Ken, who is “that guy who’s always in the know about the music scene.” Honestly, he’s hardwired into some secret network of independent music Illuminati.

I was hooked after the first time I heard “Marvelous Things”, and addicted after I saw the music video. The haunting experience of suburban emptiness, the futile striving of late youth…they make no bones about any of it, and they open these wounds deeply in a poetic way - not a whiny one. Especially for being a young family band, their sound and ideas are quite mature.

You can tell that they’ve toured with Coldplay, Snow Patrol, and Taking Back Sunday…they’re firmly planted in the late emo scene, with hair hanging in their jaded eyes. It’s not nearly as deadly as it sounds (and besides, it’s here to stay and we all must bow culturally to the power of the tween and high school buyer). At least Eisley avoids the typical emo subject matter in favor of fantasy- and nature-inspired indictments of the emptiness of modern life.

They’re worth a listen, I guarantee. Besides, MySpace is free.

Post a comment

Name: (required)

Email Address: (will not be published) (required)

URL:

Comments: