By Heather Yarnell

Laughing City, Eisley's first release after signing with Warner Bros. Records, provides a short but beautiful introduction to the Texas-based band. It may be a bit rough around the edges compared to the band's later work, but the ballad "I Wasn't Prepared," which envisions loss as a pollen-punctated mishap, the whimsical carnival waltz of "Tree Tops," the enigmatical "Over the Mountains" and the layered, moody "Laughing City" show plenty of promise. An album's time length isn't necessary for Eisley to make an impact, and Laughing City leaves you eager for more.