Eleisha Eagle
Country of origin:
U.S.
Type of music generally:
Evocative/eclectic, somewhat fierce altpop/rock
Status:
Most recent release, "Little Love" (single, 2015)
See also:
AllMusic's info on Eleisha Eagle
Comparisons:
Hard call as there are hints of many things. Her promo materials suggest "between Folds and Apple".
Covers/own material:
Own, occasional co-writing
General comments:
Mostly piano-based pop, almost story-song compositions, and sweet (but can belt it) vocals add up to something that feels a little different, though with strong roots in contemporary pop, prog rock, all over the map. Some songs seem hauntingly familiar, some strangely almost show-tune like. So yes, there's a variety here, a number of directions this young talented artist could go or continue to integrate. She has made a strong start. (sophiagurley@hotmail.com)
Recommended first album:
Private School is the only one we've heard
Recordings:
- Private School (2004)
- Eleisha Eagle EP (2006)
- Lamplighter (2007)
- Neither Here Nor There (2009)
- Little Love (single, 2015)
Private School
Release info:
2004—self-released
Availability:
Unknown
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Eleisha Eagle—vocals, piano, Wurlitzer, keyboards
Guest artists:
Donnie Boutwell—percussion, programming, guitar
Tom Bukovac—steel guitar, electric guitar, acoustic guitar
Shawn Fichter—drums
Arlo Hall—backing vocals
Tripp Hewell—handclaps, woos
Stephen James—backing vocals
Jaclyn Pilachowski—bell
John Reints—guitar
David Santos—bass
Justin Saunders—cell
Chris Tench—guitar
Vernon Andrew Trammel III—backing vocals, whistle
Owen Vallis—programming, acoustic guitar
Produced by:
Donnie Boutwell
Comments:
An intriguing album that has a scent of the concept album about it, especially give the whole "Private School" thing and the credits being set up to look like a high school annual and the lyrics like comments written in it...but it's not quite. The music is a mix of inventiveness and familiar themes (as are the lyrics). Overall this shows a ton of promise, some of it already realized. "Fe Fi Fo Fum", "Catholic School Girl" and "Darla" are particularly fun. My personal favourites are two of the most piano-based, the insistent "Side of the Fence" where Eagle really shows off the flexibility of her voice and "Flowers". Probably the only track I don't like is the official closer (there's a hidden track, "Birthday") called "Wonderful", where her voice and the lyrics get rather—well, whiny, actually. That's the exception, though—this album is well worth a listen. (sophiagurley@hotmail.com)
Thanks to Sophia Gurley for work on this entry.
