Dear did you know that people love each other just like we do?

´Room Noises´ by Eisley

Some artists devote their entire lives to art despite a lack of critical or commercial success. Vincent Van Gogh died having only sold one painting, and it was only after his death that his innovative style was appreciated.

This is not the case with Eisley, the Texan pop group formed by the family DuPree in 1997. Comprised of sisters Chauntelle (guitars), Sherri (vocals/guitars), Stacy (vocals/keys), brother Weston on drums and bassist Jon Wilson, the group garnered critical acclaim from the Dallas Observer following 2003's EP release, "Laughing City." A critical mass of good reviews led to an opening spot on the American stretch of Coldplay's 2003 world tour. After a second release the same year, Eisley took 2004 off to record its first full length "Room Noises," released Feb. 8 on Warner subsidiary Reprise Records.

While Eisley's lineage from 1990s bands like Belly is clear, and a few of the tracks on "Room Noises" are culled from the independently released EP's, the album as a whole showcases a young band coming more fully into its own sound with more sophisticated writing and arrangements.

The band's sound is driven primarily by the sisters' harmonizing of introspective lyrics layered over piano chords and chiming rock guitars, the latter of which the band said in a news release it culled from listening to Radiohead. Instead of delving into the overproduction and artistic haze that was the hallmark of their obvious influences, like Sixpence None the Richer, Eisley remains in pop territory while reinventing their unique sound. Working with several producers during the course of the album, and turning the knobs themselves on two tracks, the end result nonetheless maintains continuity amid the opportunity for a piecemeal result.

The contrast between songs that appeared on the two EP's, like the single "Marvelous Things," along with "Telescope Eyes" and "I Wasn't Prepared," is readily apparent because of the inclusion of a more up-tempo, guitar-centric sound, as opposed to the earlier iteration that was more piano-heavy and lilting. "Golly Sandra" showcases the band's Texan roots via a prominent slide guitar line, while "Just Like We Do" belies Eisley's versatility with a stripped-down acoustic guitar melody and keyboards that complement the sister's harmonies.

Topically, Eisley wanders over terrain that is uncharacteristic of a band full of high-school students - the lead track "Memories" evokes love lost after a lifetime together, while the rest of the CD swirls around the usual issues of love and confused relationships. Eisley is at their strongest on the naked "Just Like We Do," when they declare "Dear did you know that people love each other/just like we do/just like they do/Dear did you know you're all I ask for so hold on to me."

With the backing of a major label, Eisley can certainly expect big promotion, and in return it is certain that Warner expects big things from the young group. Eisley is certain to hold up its end of the bargain for fans of sensitive pop harmonics, and since the oldest member is 22, they have many years of creative energy ahead of them. Though few people can imagine living on the road 24/7 with their family, it means there's little fear of Eisley breaking up over artistic differences