Eisley

THE VALLEY: a low point between peaks. That's where the DuPree sisters who front Eisley were as they crafted their third album: Sherri enduring a failed marriage; Chauntelle, a broken engagement; and Stacy, a painful breakup. The only relationship that ended on their terms was the split with Warner Bros. Records.

Arising from the depths, Eisley has reappeared with new personal relationships, a new label (Equal Vision Records) and a new album completed on their own: The Valley. Promising to bring listeners through the band's darkest and most trying times, The Valley reveals their strength, patience and perseverance. It signals a victorious climb out of their darkest valley. With it, Eisley has managed to put forth their greatest and most personal album yet.

Throughout the album, Sherri and Stacy's exotic harmonies soar stronger than ever, and the band's sublime blend of airy guitar riffs and bright piano textures provide the gorgeous melodic framework for each song.

But on tracks like "Smarter" and "Sad," there's a musical aggression and emotional urgency that transports you to the moment they were written, laying bare the open wound of the broken heart. And the chilling album closer, "Ambulance," is an icy snapshot of the very moment of betrayal and abandonment. Elsewhere, there's a stately solace in the hopeful "Kind" and whimsical "Mr. Moon," and buoyant string arrangements decorate opener "The Valley" and "Watch It Die."

"There's a sense of self-empowerment in the lyrics, and sometimes downright desperation," says Stacy, who, with Sherri, writes Eisley's songs. "I couldn't help but want to throw myself into these songs and try to make a point about letting something very painful go, and in the process gaining strength and being able to walk away," she adds.

Of course, it's no surprise to hear Eisley's music maturing. It's been nearly four years since their last album, Combinations, was released. Chauntelle, the band's eldest member, was barely old enough to drink when they released their first EP in 2003. Stacy, the youngest sister, had just turned 15. (Rounding out this band's membership are brother Weston DuPree on drums and cousin Garron DuPree on bass, who add drive and precision to each composition.)

Eisley's debut album, Room Noises, earned them a plethora of that most coveted "buzz" and opening spots on tours with artists like Coldplay, Snow Patrol and The Fray. Now out of industry purgatory, the band is excited to share their Valley stories with a legion of fans and followers who continue to frequent eisley.com each month.

While acknowledging fans' patience and devotion, Sherri admits that the wait may have been for the best -- "It's allowed me to step away from it all and see that -- wow -- it was a crazy time in my life, but now it's in the past and I'm ready to get it out to the world. "I can sing the songs live now and not feel all of the heartache and pain that I went through. It sounds really dramatic, but had we released it right away, I don't even know if I would have been able to sing those songs live." Listen and you'll hear -- The Valley is a mountain-top experience.