By Samantha Nwaoshai

What do cowboys, Jessica Simpson, and the majority of the obese people in America have in common? If you guessed things that are the butt of jokes, close but no cigar. The correct answer is these are things that can be found in Texas. Another item you can add to that list is Eisley. Eisley is one of those bands that just because of the fact that they are a family, you instantly think “Osmonds from Texas.” The fact that their father is their tour manager reinforces this. (Are all fathers from Texas managers in disguise?)

Eisley’s debut album Room Noises does not sound like they are from Texas. They sound like you put ABBA vocals, the Osmonds cleanness, and Coldplay’s sensitivity into a blender and set it on puree. It’s ethereal and other worldly, almost like the soundtrack to a fairy tale. You can literally say “this album sounds like springtime.” Just listen to the album’s opening track, “Memories,” and you will get the gist of the whole album.

Overall, the album has amazing arrangements and heavenly vocals; however the album has two major weaknesses. One, though the arrangements are good, sonically it sometimes they come off as too sweet. You find yourself either wanting to have an involuntary personal protein spill or in desperate need of an insulin shot. “I Wasn’t Prepared” and “Golly Sandra” are good examples of this. I wouldn’t recommend this album to sonic diabetics. Then lyrically, it sounds like it has been ripped from the diary of some random thirteen year-old girl, erased the “Dear Diary” and made a song. It could be vice versa as well. “Dear Diary… [Insert Eisley lyric here].” Take for instance the lyrics to “One Day I Floated Away.” The lyrics are “One day I slowly floated away /

All the war horses wore rubber bands.” Add “Dear Diary.” Doesn’t it sound plausible?

Even though the album can cross the line from really beautiful to sugary sweet insulin shock fairly easily, Room Noises does play to Eisley’s strengths. Also considering that not one member of Eisley is older than 22 and they aren’t sounding like JoJo, is something that shouldn’t be overlooked. Even though you may feel that Room Noises should be played in a room particularly like that of your younger sister’s, no one will blame you for playing it in your CD player too.