Eels – Electro-Shock Blues

Eels – Electro-Shock Blues (1998)

Why it’s taken me so long to get round to Eels is anyone’s guess. Perhaps it’s the fact that there is so much choice. ‘Daisies of the Universe’ for example soundtracked a whole summer back at the turn of the decade while ‘Blinking Lights And Other Revelations’ continues to give up it’s secrets four years after it’s release. ‘Beautiful Freak’ too is a wonderful album – check out ‘Novocaine for the Soul’ or ‘Susan’s House’. However after a period of suitably dark introspection aided by the sudden appearance of ‘Baby Genius’ on the Squeezebox random playlist, I can’t ignore ‘Electro-Shock Blues’ claim for inclusion a moment longer. Created after a year of personal tragedy, the subject matter, mental illness, is sometimes uncomfortable, sometimes harrowing, but there is a tenderness about Mark E’s writing and delivery that promises redemption and better times ahead. Look no further than ‘PS you Rock My World’ for proof. In the meantime, here’s a video to enjoy…