Gileah Taylor and her backing Ghost Train create a hauntingly beautiful chorus in 2007’s self-titled release.
The album spans a great distance in range and emotion, from the throbbing dirge “The Devil” to the blooming optimism of “The Spirit”. The band finds its voice in “The Shadow,” exploring mystery through a jangly, piano-driven chorus. Most interestingly is Gileah’s ability to bend genres, as in the spiritual-turned-pop track “The Slave” with its declarations of “surely, surely, surely,” “swing low,” and “meet you at the river.”
Gileah proves to be a voyage of biblical proportions. Delicate vocals echo out over tight melodies, leaving this album to haunt your memory spin after spin.
Would put on a mixtape between: Eisley and The Innocence Mission
Tracks to sample: “The Slave” (iTunes), “The Shadow” (iTunes), “The Lazarus” (iTunes)
Boring music from They Might Be Giants, Counting Heartbeats, Elliott Smith, Menomena, Overhang, Deas Vail, Bodies of Water, The Frames, Derek Trucks Band, Of Asaph, Kagoshima Bay, Reef, Eisley, Dropkick Murphys. Yawn.
Boring music from Bodies of Water, Overhang, Iron and Wine, Mighty Voices of Wonder, Eisley, Vigilantes of Love, Rue Royale, My Morning Jacket, Earthsuit, Of Asaph, Rocky Votolato, Mike Farris, Alexander, Joy Electric and Ecstatic Sunshine. Yawn.
Boring music from Discover America, Sleeperhold, Trouble With Ferguson, Denison Witmer, Saving Araby, Anathallo, Starflyer 59, Fabrik, Eisley, Richard Swift, Stavesacre, Mishka, Maccabees and Vigilantes of Love. Yawn.
Boring music from The Maccabees, Eisley, Kevin Lawson, Danielson Famile, Family Force 5, Liz Janes, The Me, John Davis, Kids in the Way, Anathallo, The Choir, Nathan Smart, Starflyer 59, and Pushstart Wagon. Yawn.
Boring music from Calico Sunset, Starflyer 59, Anathallo, Eisley, Sufjan Stevens, Pushstart Wagon, Jason Clark, Tyler James, Andrew Osenga, John Davis, Paul Wright, Fabrik and Jason Harwell. Yawn.
Boring music from Over the Rhine, The Elms, Ezekiel’s Eye, Eisley and Wes Burdine and the Librarians. A tired interview with campus minister Todd Magruder on new trends in young Christians. And a sleepy listener response. Yawn.
The album spans a great distance in range and emotion, from the throbbing dirge “The Devil” to the blooming optimism of “The Spirit”. The band finds its voice in “The Shadow,” exploring mystery through a jangly, piano-driven chorus. Most interestingly is Gileah’s ability to bend genres, as in the spiritual-turned-pop track “The Slave” with its declarations of “surely, surely, surely,” “swing low,” and “meet you at the river.”
