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Combinations
by
Combinations Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 21 Ratings

  • Summary: The Texan siblings release their second full-length album.

Top Track

Ten Cent Blues
Dear orthodox, I can't control my feelings, And who hit me? I just might be Coming round the bush And my stilts, they began cracking Subsequently... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Thanks to Sherri, even Eisley's far-out moments seem intimate.
  2. Billboard
    80
    The band retains a certain backwoods spookiness, meaning songs like 'Many Funerals' and sci-fi lead single 'Invasion' keep their edge amidst a clutch of tunes ('Come Clean,' 'Ten Cent Blues') that resemble nothing so much as mid-period Fleetwood Mac.
  3. AllMusic
    80
    Eisley's mix of old and new, and accessible and unexpected, makes their music utterly charming, and Combinations is a blend of bewitching contradictions.
  4. PopMatters
    70
    The term "abstract grace" seems to describe Combinations perfectly. The album proves Eisley to be masters of melody, strong lyricists, and capable of evoking a whole combination of emotions that are unable to be described using words.
  5. Paste Magazine
    70
    Combinations takes on topics you’d expect from kids whose ages range from 15 to 23: heartache, rebellion, love. It is, almost literally, a sophomore effort. The DuPrees have become better musicians since their debut, and they want to show it off.
  6. Under The Radar
    60
    Too often Combinations sounds like a retread of Eisley's debut but with a different backing track. [summer 2007, p.73]
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  7. Q Magazine
    40
    It is just that, a combination of converging influences, namely Evanescence and The Cranberries, their propensity for choral harmonies ratcheting up the twee factor exponentially. [Oct 2007, p.109]
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See all 12 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. MattD.
    Aug 28, 2007
    10
    Combines their whimsical qualities with a new edge. The new sound works magic!
  2. [Anonymous]
    Aug 20, 2007
    10
    An excellent album! I only wish it were longer!
  4. Colee
    Aug 16, 2007
    10
    Fantastically gorgeous.
  5. EvaS.
    Aug 25, 2007
    10
    They are one of my favorite bands. I love Chauntelle's voice on "I could be there for you." I love the how the girls have started They are one of my favorite bands. I love Chauntelle's voice on "I could be there for you." I love the how the girls have started writing about love. Excellent cd. I recommend buying it. One of my all time favorites.… Expand
  6. Graham
    Aug 20, 2007
    9
    What's not to like? Beautiful harmonies...Solid songwriting....nuff said...
  7. Chris
    Aug 27, 2007
    9
    My first experience with this group was in 2003 when I saw them open for Coldplay. They blew me away then, and they still do today. I believe My first experience with this group was in 2003 when I saw them open for Coldplay. They blew me away then, and they still do today. I believe this group is going to be successful as they gain more exposure. Very solid album.… Expand
  8. BryanB.
    Aug 19, 2007
    6
    Look...I adore these girls and their talent and their character and their obvious love of life and the arts. I even pre-ordered Look...I adore these girls and their talent and their character and their obvious love of life and the arts. I even pre-ordered "Combinations" and honestly will continue to do so with their music. I saw them live in Nashville last week and they were amazing. Nevertheless, there is no way that I can say that this cd is anything but a step back from "Room Noises." And it kills me to say that too because I know that I have no idea the amount of love and energy the DuPrees put into this cd. I understand all-too-well, having been listening intently to music almost all of my 45 years, that artists have to change and grow and all that, but gone from "Combinations" almost entirely are those moments of melodic magic and transcendence that was so compelling on their first effort. Even the up-beat stuff on "Room Noises" such as "Plenty of Room," and "My Lovely" out-shine the rocking moments of "Combinations." And the ballads of "Combinations" seem forced and almost by-the-numbers when compared to the sheer, spontaneous muse that flowed from such songs as "Lost at Sea," and "One Day I Slowly Floated Away," and "Brightly Wound." The only real moment on "Combinations" that leaves me smiling with it's genius is "Come Clean." Having said that, I find all of the 1st 6 tracks of "Combinations to be enjoyable enough and even good, but that wasn't what I was hoping for. To write melodic ballads that are soul-inspiring, healing, and achingly joyful is a rare, rare gift...a gift which The DuPrees have been obviously given. And even if they feel niched or labeled by continuing to craft such songs, I think the world is a much better place for such craft.… Expand

See all 11 User Reviews

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