(02 March 2008) Eatliz first appeared on the Israeli indie scene in September 2002 and has been playing a significant role in it ever since. The group has earned its following through word of mouth and extensive touring of Tel Aviv clubs. Their live performances, captured on YouTube, for example, are incredible. Eatliz' fans used to invite others to come and see "the best band you haven't heard yet," but that changed in October 2007, when Eatliz released their twelve track debut album Violently Delicate (Anova Music (Israel), 2007.

The Eatliz lineup is comprised of Guy Ben-Shitrit, Or Bahir and Amit Erez (guitars), Adam Scheflan (bass), Omri Hanegbi (drums) and is fronted by absolutely stunning Lee Triffon (lead vocals). Be sure to read our exclusive and all English interview with her. The songs Ben-Shitrit writes for Eatliz (butcher shop) are in English and aim at a more mature audience. Progressively styled compositions and arrangements move between various musical arenas in a way which seems nearly impossible. Different songs feature influences of hard rock, surf, punk, goth, power-pop and other genres; at times several of these turn up in a single song. As such a wide variety is hard to categorize the band usually describes its music as "complicated pop."

Violently Delicate is an album of many contrasts, but it is held together by Lee Triffon's crystalline vocal work and well produced instrumental arrangements. The culture of Israel is known for combining all that is best into their own creation. They have created their individual sound to stand above the rest but careful listeners will hear elements of other progressively styled female fronted rock bands in their music, for example, listen for the Lacuna Coil allusion within the harmonies and guitar-laced arrangements of the stunning hard rock track "Whore."

From the very opening track of their album, "Bolshevik," Eatliz defines the word contrast. Layers of Lee's crystalline vocals are presented opposite Yes-like guitar and keyboard arrangements that theatrically weave in and out of the melody line. The new wave sounding title track "Violently Delicate," blends 60s guitar sounds with a new millenium punk rhythm section. While some listeners might find "Attractive" almost too smooth and pop-oriented for the rest of the album, the memorable melody and chorus make it the album standout that has brought Eatliz the attention they so rightly deserve. We especially enjoyed the way Lee's vocalise blends with the lyrical passages. The sax part adds great texture to the arrangement. Be sure to catch the music video at YouTube.

Eatliz are known in Tel Aviv for their dynamic live performances. "Hey" is a dramatically performed number with a distinct Pretenders-style and at times discordant arrangement. "Sunshine" is another crowd pleaser and album standout. The track varies between gentle, but building, ballad-like verses and powerful extra dramatic choruses. Listen for Lee's vocal excursions that search across not only an incredible Annie Haslam-range but the power spectrum of her voice. And the vocal production is as superb as the contrasting saxophone part in the arrangement.

Tension builds in the purposely off-key verses of "Say Where" and is released in the layered harmony and multiple-guitar laced choruses. Lee's wide ranging vocals are especially entertaining in "Big Fish," a memorable 1990s-style classic rock duet Lee sings with Guy. "I Don't Care" is one of the album's downtempo tracks. Laced with electric guitar riffs, Lee delivers a dramatic and evocative performance.

"Mix Me" is a quiet and gently performed ballad. Multiple Yes-styled guitar riffs harken of the band's progressive roots. The band continue to remind listeners that they can play as well at low volume as they can when rocking full on in the everso dramatic "Be Invisible." The guitar riffs clearly show off the players' virtuosity. The album concludes with the multi-dimensional "Mountain Top," whose complex, almost jazz, arrangement is totally complemented by Lee's stunningly powerful, dramatic and soaring vocal work.

While their music is not going to be the easiest to find outside Israel, the Eatliz album Violently Delicate is clearly going to be worth the challenge, especially for enthusiasts of female fronted progressive rock. The band provide a sampling at their MySpace page. The most interested listeners will follow links to their Sonicbids page for further delights. Lee hints that the second album is almost finished. We can't wait!