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Eels
Daisies of the Galaxy
You might have remembered the Eels when they had a hit single get some airplay on the local alternative stations a couple of years back (in the mid 90's). If you're anything like me, you immediately wrote the band off once that event occurred - nothing kills the creative energy of a band worse then some recognition and a major record deal. However, the Eels are a little different. First, the band is less a band then a vehicle for "A Man called E" to show off his talents - and show them off he does. Next, E's sister died after the first Eels CD causing him to channel his tragedy into his writing for the next CD. And if you're still following me, you'll know that nothing stirs up the creative juices of a musician quite as good as a little tragedy. Following this event, Eels disappeared from mainstream radio. It was upon release of this album that I started becoming interested. As I hoped, some of the darkness still lingers on this, the Eels third album. However, it's framed in a melancholy sort of way rather than all out despair. Additionally, there's enough upbeat tunes to keep the disc from settling into a funk. Since this was my first Eels CD, I was amazed at the sounds that E threw into the mix. Sometimes it's just E and a piano. At other times E throws in some electronic gadget - even the familiar ring of a cell phone. But nothing is every out of place and, more importantly, the electronics that he uses never gets in the way of the soul of the tune the way it does with other artists (e.g., Beck). This is one that can played continuously from front to end just as easy as it will fit into a disc changer with a wide range of other styles. Simply said, this is a solid album.
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