All Creatures review

I think it was about 5 seconds into ElisaRay's full-length debut that I fell in love with it. A simple acoustic guitar carries the opening 3-part harmony of honest prayer, setting the peaceful mood that is sure to last for the next 43 minutes. "All Creatures" features Tommy Chesebro on acoustic guitar and lead vocals, with his fiancé Christina on cello and harmonies. David Wimbish and Dr. Hayden Cooke (both of The Collection) contribute with banjo and upright bass respectively, as well as additional vocals. The album keeps this steady theme as its bedding while a variety of strings, percussions, and even a trumpet or two appear subtly as needed to accent the flow. And all is mixed sweetly together by the great Stephen Price, to give you easily the most pleasant listening experience this side of the Mason-Dixon Line.
Every track on this album is a gem in itself, but my two favorites would have to be "Samson (pt. 1)" and the title track. They stick out to me, not as being different from the others, but as catching best the character of the band. They excel at what the whole album already does so well. The build and swell of the dynamics is impeccable, and the lyrics are priceless, matched beautifully with melodies and instrumentation apropos.
A word of warning: Listen to this album with the understanding that your world will slow down for the duration. It is not entirely down-tempo, but it is a relaxed album. The Lord tells us in the Psalms, "Be still and know that I am God," and ElisaRay has discovered how to musically do just that. Enjoy the stillness. The words will draw you in and burst your heart into a thousand pieces, and the music will wrap around to hold you together in the wake. Take it in with an honest heart, because that is where these songs came from.

Feel free to check out "All Creatures" and

ElisaRay's previous releases on their Bandcamp HERE