Jeremy Aaron
07/15/08, 01:29 PM
Eye Alaska - Yellow & Elephant
Record Label: Fearless Records
Release Date: July 22, 2008
Perhaps best known for their pop-punk bands, Fearless Records threw a bit of a curveball with the signing of Eye Alaska and the subsequent release of their debut EP, Yellow & Elephant. The term “eclectic” is probably a bit overused when referring to a band or record, but it describes this album perfectly. Eye Alaska is evidently an indie-rock band at heart, but incorporates influences from genres as wide as prog-rock, chamber-pop and R&B. While that could have been a recipe for disaster, the band have proven to be up to the challenge, crafting quite the impressive debut.
The strings that kick off “Stop Me Now... I’m Not Ready,” let you know early on that this isn’t going to be your typical Fearless band's record. The song develops into a soft bass groove that wouldn’t have been out of place on As Tall as Lions’ Into the Flood EP. It also offers Eye Alaska the opportunity to show off their brilliant harmonies, right from the get-go. It’s the perfect lead in for what’s about to come.
They turn up the R&B flavor even more on the next track “Roll Right Over.” While the title makes it sound like a cheesy dance-pop song you’d get from The Maine, it’s actually a smooth retro-soul number that would make Al Green proud. Eye Alaska’s handling of this type of song is what differentiates them from every other band out there right now. Glossy pop tunes are a dime a dozen, but this band injected some genuine soul in this song. Those other songs contain mostly fodder about how some girl is “so hot,” but this is candlelight romance all the way and it’s masterful.
On “Through Willows and Streams,” the band show what it would sound like if you took a breezy pop track like Self Against City’s “Tequila Moonlight” and added an insistent string section and well placed backing-vocals. As if that weren’t enough surprises, Eye Alaska take a page from Casey Crescenzo’s book on “A Storm in the Child’s Fountain,” which has the orchestral and progressive sound of The Dear Hunter.
If this EP is any indication of what’s to come from Eye Alaska, the sky is truly the limit on their future. They display an insane amount of potential here, and it seems like whatever direction they choose to take their music, they can pull it off with ease. One can only imagine what may lie in store with a full length from this band. Here’s to hoping we find out soon.
As Tall As Lions, The Dear Hunter, John Legend
myspace.com/eyealaska (http://www.myspace.com/eyealaska)
Record Label: Fearless Records
Release Date: July 22, 2008
Perhaps best known for their pop-punk bands, Fearless Records threw a bit of a curveball with the signing of Eye Alaska and the subsequent release of their debut EP, Yellow & Elephant. The term “eclectic” is probably a bit overused when referring to a band or record, but it describes this album perfectly. Eye Alaska is evidently an indie-rock band at heart, but incorporates influences from genres as wide as prog-rock, chamber-pop and R&B. While that could have been a recipe for disaster, the band have proven to be up to the challenge, crafting quite the impressive debut.
The strings that kick off “Stop Me Now... I’m Not Ready,” let you know early on that this isn’t going to be your typical Fearless band's record. The song develops into a soft bass groove that wouldn’t have been out of place on As Tall as Lions’ Into the Flood EP. It also offers Eye Alaska the opportunity to show off their brilliant harmonies, right from the get-go. It’s the perfect lead in for what’s about to come.
They turn up the R&B flavor even more on the next track “Roll Right Over.” While the title makes it sound like a cheesy dance-pop song you’d get from The Maine, it’s actually a smooth retro-soul number that would make Al Green proud. Eye Alaska’s handling of this type of song is what differentiates them from every other band out there right now. Glossy pop tunes are a dime a dozen, but this band injected some genuine soul in this song. Those other songs contain mostly fodder about how some girl is “so hot,” but this is candlelight romance all the way and it’s masterful.
On “Through Willows and Streams,” the band show what it would sound like if you took a breezy pop track like Self Against City’s “Tequila Moonlight” and added an insistent string section and well placed backing-vocals. As if that weren’t enough surprises, Eye Alaska take a page from Casey Crescenzo’s book on “A Storm in the Child’s Fountain,” which has the orchestral and progressive sound of The Dear Hunter.
If this EP is any indication of what’s to come from Eye Alaska, the sky is truly the limit on their future. They display an insane amount of potential here, and it seems like whatever direction they choose to take their music, they can pull it off with ease. One can only imagine what may lie in store with a full length from this band. Here’s to hoping we find out soon.
As Tall As Lions, The Dear Hunter, John Legend
myspace.com/eyealaska (http://www.myspace.com/eyealaska)