REVIEW: Eels, Daisies of the Galaxy (Dreamworks)
- Wes Long
E, the brains and voice box behind the somewhat slippery and aptly titled Eels, presented us with Electro-shock Blues in 1998. A dark collection of songs penned, cut and pasted together from troubled times: the suicide of E's sister and the long illness and subsequent death of his mother. Electro-shock Blues concludes with the words "maybe it's time to live." E's new release opens with the mournful wail of a brass band performing at a New Orleans funeral, ushering out the pain and welcoming the celebration of life that is Daisies of the Galaxy.
All attempts at categorizing E's music are futile; it's an ultra odd assortment of sounds and starkly contrasting influences. One moment he's a softer edged John Prine, "Grace Kelly Blues," while "Flyswatter" finds him filling the role of a demented barker at a state fair mumbling about field mice, head lice and spiders over a wonderfully dislodged and eerie carnival sound befitting a Danny Elfman scored Tim Burton flick. He's equally capable of creating goofy-ass toe tapping nonsensical ramblings, "I Like Birds," and Brian Wilson/Andy Partridge perfect inescapably dreamy pop, "Jeannie's Diary." The latter of the two will spin in your head and CD player almost incessantly.
Lyrically, E's an even more difficult animal to tag. A lovely song of lost love is made all the more poignant and unusual by the words "it's a motherfucker, being here without you," a striking exhibition of unlikeness amidst a field of childlike verse. The Beck-ian and super radio friendly first single, "Mr. E's Beautiful Blues," not only features the chorus "God damn right it's a beautiful day," but it's also a hidden track on the CD. Go figure.
With the aid of REM's Peter Buck (piano, guitar and bass), and Grant Lee Buffalo's Grant Lee Phillips (bass), E churns out a set of songs that are the polar opposite of stale. Each one somehow simply complex and contagious as all get out. Some of the tracks are so oddly silly and childlike that you almost feel guilty for listening, let alone enjoying them. Guilty or not, Daisies of the Galaxy is a pleasure.
