Disco de Eels: “Live at Town Hall [Digipak]”

Mark Everett has never been the most straight forward of musicians, with him cutting an increasingly idiosyncratic path for himself, and although not considered a household name, he has certainly built up a cult following through a series of bittersweet, troubled and increasingly bleak albums, that have carved out a sort of niche market in the alternative pop/rock genre. But with this release Mark has taken the steps of bringing a stripped down version of his band, and augmenting the arrangements with a theatrical string section. So what this means it that although large sections of the "Blinking Lights and other Revelations" are present here. But there, are also popular tracks from previous albums ("Novocaine for the Soul", "It's a Motherf___", "Dirty Girl", "Poor Side of Town" "Bus Stop Boxer"), coupled with the occasional cover ("Michael Brown's - Pretty Ballerina" & "Bob Dylans - Girl from the north country"). But here with the radically different band arrangement, that shuns mostly electric instrumentation for: Acoustic Guitar, melodica, celeste, lap steel, organs, piano & string sections....the music here takes on a wonderfully rusty and almost lo-fi feel, with the luxury of delicate strings that add a certain elegance, melody and lilting beauty to the songs.

Mark himself has always had something of a gruff, scratched vocal...but here, mixed with the stripped down arrangements, his songs take on a altogether more sinister, stirring and vulnerable mood, that shroud the music with a noticeably ragged and emotionally melancholic tone, that isn't quite as pronounced as on his studio albums. Mark's husky voice lends perfectly to the darker mood, and for all the imperfections in his voice, carries the songs wonderfully. At points, such as on "Novocaine for the Soul" achingly tender, and reflective. And with the more direct tracks like "It's a Motherf___" slightly brash and uptight. It's a thoroughly engaging mix of moving through moods and being engaging, elegant, cathartic, intimate, detached, yearning and ambitious. And for a `Live' recording to convey these messages and emotions so well, is a rounding success for Mark Everett. And bodes extremely well...for any possible further `Live' recordings he may have planned.

Admittedly, this is a `Live' recording that is `preaching to the converted'....as it's not really something that could probably challenge the best `Live' albums out there for accessibility, and widespread appeal. It's a little too insular, and probably a little bit too morbid to snag a wider audience outside Eels fans. It's a fantastic albums of that there is no doubt, but people without been familiar with the songs already or having no prior experience with Eels, may struggle to appreciate the almost suffocatingly dour tone (As fans of Eels will only be too aware of the bleakness of the majority of the bands work), and maybe this is something that Mark Everett realised, and the possible reason for a couple of covers...and add to the fact that Mark has the superb ability to give a cover version his own delightful spin on it (if you ever come across it....try and find his cover of "Missy Elliott's - Get Yer Freak on!!"), gives this release a well needed shot in the arm. But for those Eels fans out there, that are intrigued, by the prospect of a `Live' Eels recorded performance, this has got to be the brilliant addition to your collection.

This is a very good concert, You can put some question marks on the mix af this recoding, but it sounds real and fair.

The only song I don't like is 'bride of theme from blinking lights', it's out of tune, which makes it very enoying. But I love listening to some Eels classics with good strings and very nice slide guitars. Good deal.

great versions, very acoustic, this is the kind of cd's or dvd's that you can listen complete and enjoy every song.

I must admit I am baffled to see such mixed reviews about this CD. Some people who call themselves Eels fans are rating it very poorly, based on poor quality of the recording, which I completely fail to understand. Eels With Strings: Live at Town Hall was my first introduction to Mr. E and since then I have acquired almost all his studio albums. I recommend it to everyone who likes great music. Eels is a man who defies classification but anyone who likes Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Nick Cave or other great musicians who put emphasis on both lyrics and music will find a real treasure here. Then you should move on to other great Eels recordings, starting with Daisies of the Galaxy.

This is a great live album by one of the most underappreciated bands in America today. I experienced the live show myself and this album is a great representation of what a great show it was. The covers are well selected and the set list is great. There aren't too many essential eels tracks that are missing.

I'm amazed by the people who have reviewed this CD and complained about the sound quality. I am an experienced engineer and producer, and I have no problems with the way this album sounds.

In a time of over-produced, ill-written, tepid records, this, as much is the same with much of the eels work, this record shines.