Eels Album: “Daisies of the Galaxy [Import Bonus Tracks]”

Daisies of the Galaxy is the third album released by the underated Eels. After 1998's depressing masterpiece Electro-Shock Blues this one is being touted as a "sunny pop" album. Although there are some happy songs on here the album will not lift your spirits like you'd expect.

"The Sound of Fear" is the first truly classic song on the album. It's typical of the album as it has a more upbeat nature to it but at the same time incorporates depressing, sarcastic lyrics. "Flyswatter" is hooky little number that features the perfect line "headlights, field-mice, spiders in the kitchen/ don't think twice about whatever keeps you itching." Daisies' single ""Mr E's Beautiful Blues" is the best track on here but is tucked away quietly at the end as a b-side. Sarcasm runs through it as E repeats "goddamned right it's a beautiful day" over a breezy tune with wonderful pretty harmonies.

All of the tracks on "Daisies" are good in there own way. "Grace Kelly Blues", "Jeannie's Diary", "Wooden Nickels" and "A Daisy Through Concrete" are all lovely introspective tracks that make the album far more solemn than it appeared. "It's a Mother----" and "Selective Memory" are among the most depressing songs E has ever penned.

Without a doubt "Daisies" is still a change of pace for the Eels. The songs are, in most cases, the most upbeat that they've ever done. That feeling of sarcasm and misery still lingers on this album so don't be expecting "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" for 45 minutes. END

One of those intriguing albums that makes you wonder how you missed it when it first came out. Ambitious and clever, full of wry sardonic tunes. Another reviewer described the music as breaking and "quivering with emotional instability," and that sums up the moody melodic tension perfectly.

Despite the sarcastic / bittersweet feel to most of the disc, the final cut "Mr Es Beautiful Blues" is one of the most optimistically melodic post-depressive songs I've ever gotten stuck in my head. God-damn right, its beautiful day.

Bonus: The band's alter ego, MC Honky (http://www.eelstheband.com/honkycontent.html), put out the retro tune "Sonnet no. 3 (Like  A Duck)." The video is way beyond amusing. http://www.eelstheband.com/likeaduck.mpeg

The driving force behind the Eels, is a man known simply as "E" (aka Mark Oliver Everett). For "Daisies of the Galaxy" he is joined by Peter Buck of REM fame, and many others. The album tells funny stories, speaks of sincere emotions of love and the fear of rejection ("Jeannie's Diary"), happiness ("A Daisy Through Concrete"), sadness, and all with a sardonic sense of humor. E is the first artist I've ever heard to rhyme "bird" with "turd" or make me feel sad for lonely truck drivers "truck driven' the black night away, waiting for the light of day". He's also the first artist to make a song ("Flyswatter") that is musically just spooky. The song just sounds spooky, and it's lyrics are very angry, but too difficult to figure out. One of 2000's hidden gems that is worth taking a look at.

E and Butch return in eels' third album, and the songs are as beautiful and haunting as ever. Wonderfully different, yet reminiscent, of eels' first two albums, Daisies of the Galaxy reflects E's happy side -- or at least, happier than we have seen him in the past. From the haunting, Descent into Madness-like "Sound of Fear" to the beautiful, hidden song, "Mr. E's Beautiful Blues", Daisies acts as a compliment to eels' second album, Electro-Shock Blues. Where E-S B was desolate and dark, Daisies is hopuful and bright---but not too bright, still reflecting E's sadness and brilliance in the depressing-song department. In E's own words: "If Beautiful Freak was our wake-up call to the world, then Electro- shock Blues was the phone call in the middle of the night that the world doesn't want to answer, and Daisies of the Galaxy is the hotel wake-up call that says your lovely breakfast is ready." I look forward to many more excellent albums by these two in the future.

I must start off by saying, " I love the Eels." I have all but one of their albums, which will be remedied soon.

I am partial to this CD. It's deceptively simple in its orchestration. It's subtle but powerful. I could go on and on, but what's the point?

It's unfortunate that this band never got its day in the spotlight. Sure, " Novocaine for my Soul," off their " Beautiful Freak" CD, is the song that turned me on to this band and did have some commercial air-play; but, as great as that song is, the Eels offer so much more.

This CD is unique. In many ways, its apparent simplicity is what smacks you silly.

This band is worthy of many accolades. Please, if you truly are a connoisseur of music, listen to this CD and their others.

It's absolutely great stuff.