Eels - Meet The Eels : Essential Eels Vol. 1 1996-2006

It is usually around this time of year that public tolerance starts to wane for greatest hits releases, representing nostalgic back-gazing over past glories. However, exceptions can be made and that is likely to be the case with this celebration of ten years (1996-2006) of the Mark Everett led, melancholic, eccentric and colourful indie dirge from the Eels.

‘Novocaine For The Soul’, on its own provides a reminder of Everett’s lyrical pounce and mood-bending instrumental jangling. Raw emotion and tenderness make a rare meeting in a song that has harvested recognition and respect. This is a band that has to be witnessed live, in order to fully understand their chemistry, ethos and passion for their medium.

The most British song written by the Virginia born Everret, ‘Your Lucky Day In Hell’ shows why he is, for many, an American Morrissey. One thing that stands out is the way that it is difficult to notice any real difference in songs produced over a decade, despite the many line-up changes that makes Chelsea seem like a stable unit. This could easily stand alone as a standard album, given the timeless nature and well built structure to each of the songs that have an evergreen quality.

Back-to-back flighty, unbridled pop in the form of ‘3 Speed’ and the electro spasm containing ‘Last Stop; This Town’, draws out a lesser seen ability to turn misery on its head and draw it out with colourful instrumentalism. Add to this Everett’s stern, worldly and endearingly husky vocal parade. Prize plum from 2000’s ‘Daisies Of The Galaxy’ full-length, ‘I Like Birds’ was probably the 1st and most quirkiest alternative love song of the millennium;

"I can’t stand in line at the store. The mean little people are such a bore. But it’s alright if you act like a turd, cause I like Birds".

The song choice on this album is impeccable, given that this collection could easily have contained double the 22 tracks on offer and, would probably have needed to in order to include everybody’s favourites. Equal exposure is given to the grass roots troubled indie base, electro leanings and the band’s more empirical nature. Everett’s slightly philistine side is represented through ‘Get Your Freak On’, in bold and defiant measures, drawing out the more off-kilter leanings.

Freshness is provided in the acoustic with strings, live rendition of the loved up and even more tenderized, ‘Dirty Girl’. Dusty Dylan-esque reflection pours out of ‘Railroad Man’, highlighting the fact that The Eels stand for gritty honesty, more than anything else. ‘Meet The Eels’ by no means represents the end for this evergreen outfit and truly serves as a reminder of their ability to adapt, yet maintain their uniqueness at the same time.

Disc 1 Track Listing:

1. Novocaine For The Soul
2. Susan's House
3. My Beloved Monster
4. Your Lucky Day In Hell (Soundtrack Version)
5. 3 Speed
6. Last Stop: This Town
7. Climbing To The Moon (Jon Brion Remix)
8. Flyswatter
9. I Like Birds
10. Mr. E's Beautiful Blues
11. It's A Motherfucker
12. Souljacker Part I
13. That's Not Really Funny
14. Fresh Feeling
15. Get Ur Freak On
16. Saturday Morning
17. Love Of The Loveless
18. Dirty Girl (Live At Town Hall)
19. I Need Some Sleep
20. Hey Man (Now You're Really Living)
21. I'm Going To Stop Pretending That I Didn't Break Your Heart
22. Trouble With Dreams
23. Railroad Man
24. Losing Streak

Disc 2 - DVD Track Listing:

1. Novocaine For The Soul (Video)
2. Susan's House (Video)
3. Rags To Rags
4. Your Lucky Day In Hell
5. Last Stop: This Town
6. Cancer For The Cure
7. Flyswatter (Video)
8. Souljacker Part I (Video)
9. Saturday Morning
10. Hey Man (Now You're Really Living)
11. Trouble With Dreams
12. Dirty Girl (Live At Town Hall)