Albums by this artist

Daisies Of The Galaxy (2000)

Oh, What A Beautiful Morning! (2000)

Eels

Oh, What A Beautiful Morning!

---

» BRAD CAFFEINE | STAFF WRITER

Eels Oh, What A Beautiful Morning! E Works/Artist Direct, 2000 RiYL: Beck, Folk Implosion, Elliott Smith's Figure 8

The Eels have always been one of those bands similar to Madonna or Prince. No, I am not insane, hear me out -- this is a band laden with some serious misconceptions that really get in the way of their great musical output. Their popular critical tag as an "alternative" one-hit-wonder is completely unjustified. Since 1992's A Man Called E, Mark Everett (or simply "E" to his adoring fans) -- with or without the band name -- has been releasing modestly publicized gems. The Eels' first major-label effort, Beautiful Freak, contained the uh... "hit" single "Novocaine For The Soul," which did pretty well on both the radio and MTV. Unfortunately, sometimes major labels are happy with just one hit single.

Since then, Dreamworks has done little to promote the band. This is highly unfortunate, since both of the group's follow-up albums were pure genius. The incredibly depressing Electro Shock Blues brought the listener on a guided tour through a descent into pure sadness, the music elucidating the slightest hope when the world is against you. The follow-up came several years later in the form of a breath of fresh air entitled Daisies Of The Galaxy that found our favorite sad bastard stumbling over a "Daisy Through Concrete" and grinning shyly at the end of "Grace Kelly Blues" and reminding us "I think you know I'll be alright" -- and we did. Both albums were much more solid and featured a lot more creative expression.

Which brings us to present day. Luckily for all of us, E and Butch have taken matters into their own hands, and released Oh What A Beautiful Morning themselves through their website, on E's some-what fake imprint, E Works Records. This live collection features some of the best moments of the Eels' last two tours. Due again to poor promotion, I'm sure a lot of us missed them live because they didn't make it out to our towns, or we just didn't even hear about it.

E and Butch personally selected these tracks, so obviously they are real highlights. Some of the standouts include a seven-part medley entitled "Overture" performed by a full symphony that toured with the band, several previously unreleased or non-album songs (including "Fucker" and the title track), and an acoustic set by E from his brief solo tour opening for Fiona Apple.

The stage banter between songs is rare on this 17-track wonder, but the talk that did make it on the record is worth hearing every time. Especially the cell-phone conversation between E and Fiona that follows "Grace Kelly Blues", which really makes you feel like part of the intimate audience. The CD is of great sound quality for a live recording, and even after almost an hour, still leaves the listener wanting more. If nothing else, it should prove that even if Dreamworks does bail on the Eels, these artists should have no trouble taking things into their own hands. And let's face it, E's been through a lot worse, and always bounced back.

BRAD CAFFEINE |