By Heather Yarnell, May 2005

It's not very often that you come across an album capable of taking you to a universe far removed from the world headlines that have a way of swirling about the brain on a daily basis. It's even rarer for that album to successfully hold up upon repeat plays. If you've found that music hasn't been providing you with the escape you crave, I'd like to introduce you to the realm Eisley owns and operates. It's a place where the pull between fantasy and reality is ever present, where the struggle between childlike innocence and world-weary adulthood is duking it out ever so gracefully. On these hills, you might catch a glimpse of a bat with butterfly wings or view your tour guide holding sunlight and swallowing fireflies as birds parade across the dreary sky above. And if you happen to forget about documenting your glorious experience, don't worry about it. Eisley has already done that for you and it's just one spin of a CD away. Featuring production from Rob Schnapf (Elliott Smith, Beck), John Shanks (Sheryl Crow, Michelle Branch), Rob Cavallo (Green Day, Sixpence None The Richer), Aaron Sprinkle (Anberlin, Mae) and Eisley themselves, the twelve whimsical alternative pop tracks that make up Room Noises establish this debut as forty-one minutes of fantastic art pop, sounding both intricate and effortless at once. The imagery overflowing from each exquisitely designed piece is truly impressive, as the band has used unusual metaphors and refreshing creativity when penning their mysterious compositions.

The bittersweet sentiments of "Memories" gracefully introduces itself in a most captivating way, allowing us to take part in its story of musical blooms and otherworldly communication between a husband and wife. The following song, lead single "Telescope Eyes," also employs a similar and equally intriguing conversational trick. This time the banter is between two school kids, one carelessly tossing rejection in a peer's face and one yearning to no longer be made to feel unworthy. The atmospheric "Lost at Sea" seemingly takes comfort in a small but important accomplishment while addressing how life's challenges can be rather enjoyable with the right mind set. You can practically envision yourself bobbing along in the salty ocean, awash in hazy watercolor blues and greens, completely clueless to how you're going to get out of this but confident that just over those waves, the security of home is drawing near. "One Day I Slowly Floated Away," a moody chronicle of mercy and appreciation, features one of the album's most enchanting and thought-provoking messages. Though much of Noises maintains Eisley's trademark gorgeous sound throughout, the band does show signs of breaking out into other musical landscapes. Look no further than the stuttering, lap steel-accompanied "Golly Sandra," the frantic, fractured fairy tale of "Plenty of Paper" or the warped bridge of "My Lovely." In fact, the wonderfully wacky "Paper" just might be the best song here. Set in a world where the bugs have sprouted facial expressions, the stars have been stashed in a bucket and half of the moon has been placed in someone's hair, it's impossible not to love this kooky playground. Being paired with such a dizzy musical arrangement makes for one experience that will have you eager to retrace its pathway time and time again.

Eisley lists such literary icons as C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and Ray Bradbury as a few of their favorite authors and that influence is obvious over the course of Noises. It'd be quite easy to describe the album as the musical equivalent of Alice in Wonderland, A Series of Unfortunate Events or one of Tim Burton's quirky flicks. There may be a curiously murky quality lurking in the corners of the album, but there's always a fantasy element keeping a light, hopeful feeling conquering any darkness that is working ever so hard to seep its way in. The eccentric expressions found within Noises may seem obscure and impenetrable to some, while appearing precious and childish to others, but each tune speak volumes. Death, doubt, rejection and other forms of confusion and chaos can't deter these five from seeing the beauty that life is unfurling before them. If that description somehow fails in making this clear, those seeking an angst-ridden project should look elsewhere. For those of you seeking out a bit of encouragement or beautiful escape, you've found your album. In Room Noises, Eisley has delivered an intelligent, artistic pop album that displays pure, innocent beauty at its finest. It's still there, waiting to be discovered, even if you must elude the real world to enjoy it.