UK import, Literate, tuneful and punchy ... like Squeeze jamming with
Jellyfish in Elvis Costello`s front room. Focused on the songwriting of
Raymond Weir, Scottish band The Eisenhowers have produced a debut album
which sits nicely in the adult pop genre. Clearly inspired by the likes of
Elvis Costello, Aimee Mann, XTC and Crowded House, Almost half-undressed
features 12 literate, punchy and often thoughtful songs covering a wide
range of topics, including sex, celebrity, love, money, serial killers and
even parenthood. The tunes are mostly direct and guitar-driven, while Weirs
vocals are pitched somewhere between the gutteral Costello (circa Armed
Forces) and the genial Glenn Tilbrook. The arrangements are tight and
imaginative, while the production is always punchy and clean. There is a
nice balance of light and shade, with plenty of neat harmonies and more
catchy choruses than you could shake a stick at. "Melodic vocals and tender
guitar rock strum away gently with breezy choruses rocking you back and
forth like a small sailing boat on a great ocean. Their songs are fused
with character-building pop hooks and they manage to conjure an image of
Elvis Costello without going overboard. Adult contemporary pop-rock that is
fun for a pub and fun for a small get-together as well makes this Glasgow
pop act one that is essential to follow."-Smother.net. "This album is
jam-packed with witty & entertaining pop/rock music some of the best we`ve
heard this year! We thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it. Novelty Act and and Consequently These songs are perfection. They
also feature moments of Elvis Costello genius in songwriting and voice
forms. Favorites on the album! `25 OClock is another fantastic track. It
has a great beat and is very danceable. You can hear just a little bit of
Squeeze in here."-Bobblebeat.com. "The Glasgow-based group The Eisenhowers
show no shame in revealing their influences of Elvis Costello, Aimee Mann
and XTC and so they shouldn`t. Even their album title, with its
thinly-veiled acknowledgement of Jellyfish, is an open and honest acceptance
of the artists who informed their sound. Good job then, that their own brand
of literate pop/rock music is up to scratch. Superior songs such as `...And
Consequently` and `Useless Love` suggest a Scottish Squeeze, the doleful `If
I Had To Make A List` crosses Costello with Lloyd Cole whilst `Jigsaw` is an
excellent example of their sophisticated power pop. Even their slower-paced
material (`Abracadabra Man`, `If Satellites Should Fall`, `Plastic Jesus`)
is perfectly judged and adds new layers of maturity and depth to their
already impressive oeuvre. Rather than an exercise in rewriting other
groups` ideas, `Almost Half Undressed` is a lesson in great songwriting that
can more than stand up on its own two feet."=Leonardslair.com
 and Consequently - mp3
Novelty Act - mp3
Mr. and Mrs. Frankenstein - mp3
Plastic Jesus - mp3
Jigsaw - mp3
25 O Clock - mp3 | 
