Combinations
by Eisley
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. 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 "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 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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. 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.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Thanks to Sherri, even Eisley's far-out moments seem intimate.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »