The Eels - Meet The Eels: Essential Eels Vol 1 1996-2006 Album Review

Eels
Meet The Eels: Essential Eels Vol 1 1996-2006
Universal
Album Review

Eels are one of those US bands (like Cake) who have remained significant and significantly different for the whole of their career. Mark Oliver Everett (aka 'E') has achieved single success with songs like Novocaine For The Soul, Your Lucky Day In Hell and Susan's House (both included here), and the band has enjoyed success with soundtracks such as Shrek, Failure To Launch, Along Came Polly and Big Nothing - the spare sophisticated grunge-lite sound adds an immediate edge to proceedings.

Released at the same time as Useless Trinkets: B-sides, Soundtracks, Rarities and Unreleased, Essential Eels is a wonderful introduction to the band for those who've yet to hear the band - it contains singles from each of the band's albums. (Useless Trinkets is a 2-CD set containing around 50 songs - with a rare weak track in the mix.) This is a luxury of riches from one of America's best indie bands - dive in.

Rating 8/10

Mike Rea