Eels are mostly a alternative rock quartet. I say mostly, because really Eels is a rolling line up of performers - and rock only in very broad terms. The central figure is the impossibly talented E. So far as I know, E writes pretty much all the music and lyrics himself. For recordings and live shows, he is joined by others. Typically, E will sing and play lead guitar, while supported by a drummer and bassist. The thing about Eels is that nothing is certain. The variety of their songs is great - from grungy rock to sweet ballard to string arrangements. As such, E's support changes frequently. From what I can tell, the two big 'regulars' are drummer Butch, and MC Honky (who either DJ's or plays bass. It's hard to figure out who is who!). Lyrically, E's music is sensitive, open and terrifically clever. Musically he is bold, expressive and eccentric.
Eels are best summed up by their first album. Entitled 'Beautiful Freak', the band's debut encompasses everything that the group is about. Just the title tells you all you need to know: Eels are beautiful - lyrically powerful, sweet and touching; musically often subtle and endearing. Looked at in the right light, each song has its own intense beauty. Sometimes the songs are just beautiful in their own right: listen to Fresh Feeling or Climbing To The Moon. But they also have a more freakish side, which prevents them entering mainstream rock/pop*. The first album has a grungy tone to most songs, almost like a dull metal album. Their work is filled with darkness, despair and angst. E writes about the downtrodden, the abused, the weak, the insane, the depressed. Each Eels songs is an anthem for the freaks of the world - dealing with confidence issues, addiction, loneliness and bitter melancholy. Somehow, the 'Beautiful Freak' oxymoron is a constant theme in the music. Always is beauty juxtaposed against some ugly emotion, like anger or depression. Beauty and the beast have never been so sublimely mixed. And the effect is extremely powerful.
There is little doubt - Eels are a challenging band. The music frequently seems eccentric, or glum, or just downright wierd. But sooner or later, these traits becoming endearing. Instead of being scared off by the dischords, bizzare riffs and subtle guitar rythms; you being to fall in love with them. What is required is a key, or a point of entry. For me, it was the more direct rock songs which caught my attention. Teenage Witch and SoulJacker Pt 1 are the songs I remember liking. Almost anything else I heard, I didn't like - put off by the subtlety or eccentricity. Through those two songs, I gradually feel deeper and deeper into E's world. Others may be attracted by the slower, more sensitve songs - It's A Motherfucker, or Jeannie's Diary perhaps. Still others may just be grabbed by the lyrics; caught unawares as someone else sings your life story, or your deepest fear. Eels can do all these things.
E is a very clever man. As such, his songs have a depth which is rare and touching. Some songs only make sense when you can relate (I'm thinking of It's A Motherfucker here). Others make sense, but you get the impression there is something deeper going on. Of course, some make perfect sense and instantly strike you. Yet others have a meaning which is elusive and slippery like, well, like an eel. No matter how much time I spend thinking about them, some songs keep their meaning firmly locked away. I have tried searches on the internet for help with these songs, but have met very limited success. As such, I am going to make a gargantuan effort on these pages to chronicle every Eels song (well, every album song at least), and write a few words about it. Most likely, I will post the lyrics and write some explanation - or at least an explanation of what it means to me. In an ideal world, I would like to have explanations from other people too. However, I think that not nearly enough people will see this page to contribute!!
Below are links to my thoughts on the albums, and some individual songs. This is a work in progress - I can't chronicle in depth everything that E does! The guy works too hard. But what I can do is to write about some of my favourites. Maybe it'll open up some new doors for you, introduce some new aspects to the songs. Maybe it will jsut encourage you to buy the album!
Albums:
Songs:
I'm Going To Stop Pretending That I Didn't Break Your Heart
*It is probably worth noting that if Eels ever did become mainstream, E would be severely unhappy. He writes to tackle his own demons, and sings to entertain. But he is certainly not a sell out, and doesn't write music to be popular or famous. His truely is a work of passion.