FamilyFans Music

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COMBINATIONS

Eisley / Reprise Records

Fan Appeal: All ages

Genre: Alternative

This sophomore release from Eisley is almost as good as their wonderfully innovative first album, Room Noises.

Since I got Combinations, I have barely been able to take it out of my CD player because every time I start, it hooks me in and I discover something new and beautiful.

“Many Funerals,” which is the opening track, is by far one of the best songs on this album. This is a challenging song that asks the simple question of why? Why did these people die? Why now? And why did they have to leave us? This one will really make the listener think about life and death in a whole new light. “Taking Control” is another standout on this album. It's about when someone has been taking advantage or control of you, and you are just plain tired of it.

The thing that really makes this band stand out to me is the incredible vocals (both lead and backup) of Stacy, Chauntelle, and Sherri DuPree. The beauty that their voices bring to the songs is something that is very hard to find, and for that reason, there is almost no other band like Eisley.

Even though most of the songs are great, there are a couple that aren’t as strong, and can distract from the flow of the album as a whole. One of these is “Ten Cent Blues.” This song almost has a bluegrass feel about it, and isn’t all that exciting. It is sort of an angry song about some guy liking another girl. That's a little bit annoying because it sounds like ranting and saying the same things over and over. Still, that's just a minor complaint, especially when taken in the context of the album as a whole.

Needless to say, Combinations has my full recommendation.

FAMILYFANS RATING: A

If members of your family like this CD, then you may want to try…

-Room Noises, Eisley, Alternative. This is one of the most beautiful and addicting albums that I have come across.

--TN

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