Meet the Eels: Essential Eels 1996-2006, Vol. 1 [CD/DVD] [PA] [Digipak]

Performer: Eels
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Eels: Julie Carpenter, Heather Lockie, Paloma Udovic, Ana Lenchantin, Grant Lee Phillips, Jim Jacobsen, Joe Gore, Adam Siegel, John Parish, Jon Brion, Mark Goldenberg, Mark Oliver Everett, Ryan Boesch, T Bone Burnett, Big Al, Jennifer Condos, Koool G Murder, Tommy Walter, Matt DeMerritt, Todd M. Simon, Butch. Issued in 2008, MEET THE EELS celebrates Mark Oliver Everett's first decade recording under the Eels banner. Proceeding in semi-chronological order from 1996's BEAUTIFUL FREAK to '06's LIVE AT TOWN HALL, the collection touches on all the proudly quirky alt-pop performer's significant releases, spending plenty of time on his acclaimed '05 double album, BLINKING LIGHTS AND OTHER REVELATIONS. In addition to previously unreleased tracks (most notably an elegant remix of "Climbing to the Moon" by fellow L.A.-based musician Jon Brion), standout tunes include the Beck-like college-rock-radio hit "Novocaine for the Soul," the wry folk ditty "I Like Birds," and the melancholy chamber-pop number "Trouble With Dreams," which all showcase the Eels' knack for oddball narratives and engaging melodies. Along with Sparklehorse's Mark Linkous, Everett (aka E) is one of the 21st century's few true pop eccentrics working under a major-label umbrella, and MEET THE EELS is an excellent introduction to his strange but undeniably intriguing sensibility. DVD Features: Videos: 1. Novocaine For The Soul 2. Susan's House 3. Rags To Rags 4. Your Lucky Day In Hell 5. Last Stop: This Town 6. Cancer For The Cure 7. Flyswatter 8. Souljacker Part 1 9. Saturday Morning 10. Hey Man (Now You're Really Living) 11. Trouble With Dreams 12. Dirty Girl (Live At Town Hall)

Uncut (p.88) - 5 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he sum reveals that Eels' seam of wry melancholy runs deeper than imagined." Q (Magazine) (p.109) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[V]eering wildly between rage and despair, but invariably underpinned by humanity. It's the perfect place to start." Mojo (Publisher) (p.122) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "MEET THE EELS nuggets such as 'Susan's House' stand as fine examples of cut 'n' paste pop a la Beck..." Blender (Magazine) (p.87) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he music is intimate, full of acoustic guitars and Hollywood soundtrack inflections." Clash (magazine) (p.110) - "[T]he music remains very listenable and always engaging. From early classics 'Novocaine For The Soul' and 'Susan's House' we take a trip through some lesser known songs to 'Mr E's Beautiful Blues' and onwards." Record Collector (magazine) (p.88) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Somehow it manages to satisfy the most ardent fan and the casual listener....This is bracing stuff."

Singer/songwriter Mark Oliver Everett started out under the moniker A Man Called E, releasing two albums of dark, melodic pop in the early 1990s. After forming Eels and signing to a new label, Everett's work became even darker, and the production became more textural and sophisticated. Aside from a quirky, experimental 2003 effort under the name MC Honky, Everett has continued to refine his emotionally uncompromising, skillfully crafted vision with Eels, often to great critical acclaim if not stunning sales.

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.5