I Took The Dare & Lived To Tell About It: EELS

OK - Anyone that knows anything about the cast of characters on RHT knows that there is only one, definitive expert on Eels. That would be Shoe. Which makes me taking on Mr. E's music make perfect sense, huh? Alright - so I took the Eels challenge, and now I'm hear to give you my findings. I'll qualify that as personal opinion, that way it can't be wrong. If you want the facts, go here or ask Shoe for a fireside chat. I'm sure not everyone will agree, but then again what kind of a place would this be if we all did?

I'm going to take you back about 3 years ago, when I was at one of the lowest points in my life. I needed to make some changes, so my good buddy Shoe (in his infinite wisdom) recommends a dose of Eels for my ears. Well, let's just say that's like giving a crack-head some heroin just to "change the mood." Luckily, I still had enough of my wits about me that my mind rejected Eels after I went out & purchased Blinking Lights And Other Revelations. Thank God my other buddy Willie was there with an introduction to QOTSA & EODM to recharge my spirit. Seriously folks, E's music should come with an owner's manual. This is not something you take lightly; it'll hurt you if you're not careful.

Back to the present time. I'm all better now, & my mind is wide open to new experiences. About the time RHT comes into existence, Shoe pushes some more Eels my way. He knowing I'm a sucker for a good hook, I get started at the beginning (like I should have before) with 1996's "Novocaine For The Soul." Then I work in some of 2000's "Mr. E's Beautiful Blues" and I'm now off & running. The guy can make some great music, exploring different rhythms and cadence in his vocals. What I meant earlier about needing instructions to listen to E's music came as I got a 2-disc set from Shoe, along with the explanation for where this cat is coming from. A lot of death & tragedy in E's (Mark Everett) life has provided the foundation for the Eels catalog. His material can be extremely intense & personal, making you feel uncomfortable much like you are at a viewing the night before a funeral. Luckily, E has the ability to inject a dry sense of humor into the proceedings that helps you get through an otherwise disturbing experience, but still you are left with that sting that keeps swelling.

I was able to take away about 17 songs that were keepers - so there's a little for everyone. I was thinking of a parallel to use for this post, & one song that coming back to me was "Tom Traubert's Blues." I used to despise this song as part of an old Rod Stewart compilation I had, but when I saw the original songwriter Tom Waits perform it live on my Old Grey Whistle Test DVD I was overcome. Much the same as with the music of Eels - you have to be in the right frame of mind to appreciate it, and once you are it is special, without a doubt. Not all of it is my cup of tea, but I do have a fair amount of respect now for the man called E.