foxy_shy's Full Review: Electro-Shock Blues by Eels
When about one and a half months ago Shelly (a.k.a. Lambchops) gave me the picks I should choose from to participate in this W/O I was both intrigued and a little bit confused. I knew none of those artists. So, like I usually do when theres something about music that I dont know, I went to allmusic.com, and I liked the description of Eels more. Besides, Shellys reviews on them sounded really exciting so pretty soon I picked Electro-Shock Blues at a record store.
Before we proceed, a couple of words about this W/O might seem appropriate, however. As you can see at our hosts profile page, there are 11 pairs of reviewers. MattA75, a.k.a. The King of Rock @ Epinions.com, welcomes everyone to his court the third time around. For me this was the first, so some time was necessary for it to come to me, that each reviewer gives their counterparty a couple of picks from which the latter have to choose something they havent heard. It took me even more time to think of something for Lambchops, who uhm is the Category Lead in Music! One of my three picks struck home though. I hope you enjoyed listening to it Shelly :)
As to me, I did. I absolutely enjoyed the album Im reviewing here. Somehow Shelly knew I would. Well, I guess tisnt that hard to figure some things out. Or maybe, many people simply feel the same. Anyway, this album was so for me. Thanks.
Electro-Shock Blues is the sophomore effort of Eels, the one-man band (with a band in the rear) of Mark Oliver Everett, a.k.a. E. Their, hmm, the bands music might be defined as alternative, somewhere between rock and pop, not sweet, ironic yet not mean, soothing even at its darkest. But I'm afraid such explanation simply wouldn't suffice! Eels' debut album Beautiful Freak met some mixed reviews in 1996, Electro-Shock Blues followed two years later. And it couldnt possibly become its title more its indeed about the blues. And electroshock.
This is an album for everyone who feels crapped and down. Its not for the brokenhearted or the bereaved only, its for everyone who feels simply put, kicked in the a*ss by this life. In other words, for everyone who needs an electroshock. Which E delivers with a concept album that begins as downbeat as few albums with much harder music have ever managed to. Then, halfway through, it slowly picks you up beginning with the instrumental Going to Your Funeral Pt 2. Theres no way you will be able to avoid the helping hand this album will hold out, especially if you will love the husky charm of Es voice. Which is not to say that the second half of Electro-Shock Blues will all of a sudden become sillily upbeat, rather most of the songs in it will flow through your mind like one soothing, unchained melody, less memorable than the first 11, yet always as enjoyable. The end result is nothing short of amazing! And if theres a word that comes to my mind to describe this miracle, it must be
excavation
As youve already guessed, Im about to wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone reading this review. Except if youre feeling happy, then maybe dont buy it, youre already feeling better than it might ever make you feel. To all the rest, dive into Electro-Shock Blues. And enjoy Eels.
Mah, I thought upon first hearing ELIZABETH ON THE BATHROOM FLOOR, is this how the folks reading my reviews see me? Not that I would argue, its just I couldnt subdue laughter when I first heard it! Es voice sounds lifeless and indifferent, acoustic guitar backs the electric playing a soothing tune, and those effects in the background create something like a little heavenly choir nothing to say, a perfect song for dying. Or for the folks who feel out of touch with their lives.
Lying on the bathroom floor
Kitty licks my cheek once more
And I
I could try
But waking up is harder when you wanna die
My names Elizabeth
My life is sh*t and p*ss
You know, when you admit it, it feels better. That was the introduction. A steady groove enters shortly after and GOING TO YOUR FUNERAL PT 1 opens the first part of the album. Its a dark gloomy song, yet its not desperate, it sounds more like accepting something. I enjoyed listening to it going to one of my exams I absolutely wasnt ready for See, Everett may be the big figure behind Eels, but, quite naturally, here and there hes got talented musicians creating wonderful arrangements and atmosphere for his songs (in which he reminds me of Sting). Thus, in this one Jim Jacobsen plays the amazing bass line, backed by Parthenon Huxleys electric guitar. Just an example.
CANCER FOR THE CURE definitely is one of the most challenging listens here. If theres a song that describes it better, I dont know of such. Of course, its easier to take this song as a metaphor, which it probably is. But its enough for me to hear the drilling effects this groovy guitar driven song opens with, to remember it. It took two members of my family too. So we kinda met. And after you have seen it, you cant help but sing along. I mean, the fear of the unknown, its gone you have seen its face, nothing to be afraid of. The only thing Im afraid of is this is the only mood you might be able to enjoy this song in.
No, Im not a star Im a king of the road, yeah
MY DECENT INTO MADNESS is relaxed and soothes you with those kind of classical interpolations. I would love this album for the way E sings la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la in this one alone. Look after another wonderful confession before the fadeout. 3 SPEED is a wonderful acoustic guitar driven ballad. Oh, and please note: this albums got great, GREAT lyrics all over it.
Life is funny, but not ha ha funny
Peculiar I guess
You think I got it all going my way
Than why am I such a f*cking mess?
Want a pony and a birthday cake
Want a party with a scary clown
Kneel down and bow to the princess
Kneel down for the queen of the town
And I looked into
the mirror last night
All I saw was a pretty blonde
And why wont you just tell me whats going on?
HOSPITAL FOOD is one downright bad*a*ss song that brings the groove back onto the track. The saxophones are amazing!! ELECTRO-SHOCK BLUES on the contrary consists entirely of a couple of simple synthesizer chords and again some of the best lyrics in my catalogue.
Feeling scared today
Write down I am Ok
A hundred times the doctors say
I am Ok
I am Ok
Im not Ok
Pink pill feels good
Finally understood
Take me in your warm embrace
I am trying
I am trying
It fades and a blurred cello with synthesizers take its place. The beat enters, the surrounding sound disappears and Everett begins singing his lines. The cello and synthesizers will return between his verses. If theres a song I might pick as one of my favorites here, EFILS GOD would be one of, if not the one.
Now you can bring back my suitcase but you cant bring me
And you can have all the money cause you say that you must
But if you think that it matters take a look at me
And dont close your eyes as I turn into dust
Dont tell me that I cant do this
As if you knew
But you dont know
How efils good
The part of blues is over. Time for electroshock and excavation. The instrumental GOING TO YOUR FUNERAL PT II is magical, almost healing, no is healing, the melody is recognizable, but at the same time so much brighter than the 2nd song on the album! Those bells, I could play it over and over to hear them again
LAST STOP: THIS TOWN is another of my favorite songs I like them all here but this, kind of a pop song, is one of the few I know that can make feel so good and up. Especially the groovy bits and get-downs sung in the background. I dont know how he does it, this guy is terribly talented.
And BABY GENIUS is another proof of that. But I wont be spoiling it for you, no, that one youll check yourselves ;) Ok?
From here on the songs become more alike, but, but, but remain as enjoyable. This isnt a kind of album to spin over and over again. Rather it is one of those that you take out feeling bad, to give it a spin and get your grip back again. I highly recommend you Electro-Shock Blues theres an awful lot of days, when we feel downbeat. I mean, you might be taking it out more often than I sitting here can imagine. There indeed is something special about it. Something a hint at which I hoped to give you here.
Im now looking forward to buying more Eels on my wish list now there are Beautiful Freak and Daisies of the Galaxy. And of course, this years fresh release. I also hope that this summer in America I will be able to obtain Electro-Shock Blues Show, mentioned by All Music Guide. There aint a slightest chance I might find it here. Lets say I was lucky enough to lay my hands on this one.
Now, my thankyous:
to Shelly!!! one of my favorite reviewers on this site and the biggest Eels fan around here. If you feel like reading more about Es creativity, pick her reviews first! Heck, you should always pick her reviews first!
to Matt!!! one of my favorite reviewers (whatever you think about it) and the true King of Rock at Epinions (whatever he says about it). I enjoyed this. Hopefully we do it again next year dude.
And here goes 21 brave folks and (of course) me, participating this year. Go for all links to Matt's profile page
drfaustus and jay1051971
aerocat and divad23
paulyoungotti and matta75
kcfoxy and guildenstern
jennjoy and shilmafone
jdhodges2 and cartman_2k
tigger500 and kristinafh
thevoid99 and pacmany2j
foxy_shyandlambchops
deadmilkboy and stairway2drew
cletta1201 and pearl-drum-man
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