Beautiful Freak
Eels
1996
Album Summary
Beautiful Freak is the debut album by American rock band Eels. It was released on 13 August 1996 and is the first album released by record label DreamWorks.
WikipediaThis album suprised me. I almost didn't expect to like it given the god-awful album art, but I can't judge a book by it's cover. This album is musically rich and intriguing. Right off the bat I got flaming lips vibes, which is good because I love the flaming lips. The artsy-grunge type songs were great, but I wish there were more jazzy songs like "Susans House" with its spoken word sections and beautiful piano and bass instrumentation. Sometimes the lyrics were a bit edgy, but not in the cool "rage againts the machine" way, but in the cringy "middle school kid that was bullied for wearing an anime t-shirt" kind of way. The lyrics make me think of someone who heard Radiohead's "Creep" and was like "damn, I could make a whole album like this". These lyrics seem like they'd be memorized by Jared Leto's Joker. Even so, this album had some beautiful and freaky baroque-grung songs that really impressed me, especially in the last half of the album. I'll definitely be listening to it again. Favorite track: Guest List - although this is tied with "Mental", purely for the amazing synth solo at the end. - Least Favorite: Rags to Rags
Eclectic alt-rock at it's finest. Thought provoking lyrics and surprising instrumentation. Each song, unique in their own right, blends together forming a flowing soundscape through the project. Stand-Outs: Susan's House (interestingly crafted piece; the sample from Gladys Knight works so well), My Beloved Monster, Flower (country vibes with angelic background vocals), Manchild.
wow i really loved that maybe it’s just late and my heads a little fucky but that really felt like a magical experience listening to that such beautiful, unique, diverse compositions with every track like every time a song would be near the end I would get very excited wondering what fun surprise I would get next he often mixed together genres that shouldn’t work but HOLY SHIT do they work well i’ll give it a 9/10, it’s almost perfect, I have two minor complaints: firstly his vocals aren’t very diverse, I don’t hate his voice but I don’t necessarily love it, he regularly uses effects to spice it up and compensate for the lack of diversity but still i’d like a little more effort from his voice I guess and second isn’t really a flaw, more just preference but the rock genre isn’t really my favorite, it’s not bad but it’s not really something i like listening to normally still this is such a great album, i’m very glad I listened to this, such amazing song writing and surreal story telling with the lyrics, just awesome I’ll definitely be looking into more of Eels’ discography
Probably the most modern-sounding album we've heard so far. I like the style, a bit jazzy, a bit indie rock. And the band is American, there's a change of pace! Altogether though, it isn't very engaging. Background music in a good way, but still background music for me. ALSO, I must note that there is a sound of children cheering on "Susan's House" that is 100% without a doubt the same sample used for the Grunt birthday party sound effect in Halo. Favorite tracks: Susan's House, Spunky, Manchild Album art: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH 3/5
I was too busy listening to Leonard Cohen in 1996 that I never gave this album a proper listen, but was excited to explore it. I came into the Eels late, being introduced through the song, "I like the way this is going" a few years ago and then digging into some of their older stuff (but not this album). I loved that song for it's tentative and nervous sweetness, a feeling that carries through so much of their work. I'm sure that "Beautiful Freak" was the song that I had always wanted a boy to sing to me in 1996. I love the juxtaposition of the sweet & gloomy moments with the angsty moments on this album. I love the grainy quality of the vocals on "Not Ready Yet." I haven't had such unprepared delight ever in a song as when the harmonicas came on in "Guest List." I think that this band stands out for its unique mix of grunge and emo that gives them a unique sense of vulnerability. Plus, I want a cat named Lolita with a violent past and their use of "mint chocolate chip ice cream" was brilliant. What a great listen.
First listen to anything by Eels. I'm not sure that I liked this one. The lyrics are pained, but musically there is very little catharsis, and the vocal delivery is often overwrought in its expression of self-pity. It's a sad little wilting flower of an album, and on first pass it didn't do much for me. There were a few songs where it came together, namely the saccharine "My Beloved Monster," the withering "Manchild," and lone rocker "Mental."
Nothing wrong with this record, it a decent indie offering but is it 1001 essential album list material -- most definitely not, I have heard albums that I hated on this list whose placement I can definitely justify but this is probably the first one for which I cant do that. 1/5
The album cover sums it up - wide eyed & legless. Not my kind of music
This was an absolutely beautiful album! First time listening, but it’s gonna be my go-to-album this whole weekend
Great, unique style. I had not heard this album fully, and it is great
I love this album, the lyrics, the music, the Gladys knight sample on 'susan's house', the distorted riff on 'not ready yet', all of it
First time listening to an Eels album front to back. I liked it a lot! Great flow, great overall production. Thumbs up!
Если вы думаете, что ни разу не слышали эту группу, то вы ошибаетесь: их песни звучали в первых трех частях Шрека. Но ни в этом их главная заслуга. Уже на данном дебюте 1996-го года Eels показали как должен звучать альтернативный рок. Песни разнообразны и держат ваше внимание на протяжении всего альбома. Звучание опередило свое время и при слепом прослушивании будет сложно понять в каком году выпущен альбом. Рекомендую всем поклонникам The Smashing Pumpkins и The Flaming Lips
Not listened to this in years. Still as haunting, melancholy, and beautiful as it ever was.
Muy indie noventero. Además, como me gusta bastante la portada, le pongo un 5.
Eels are a band I often forget about and then I remember them and I say "how come this isn't my favorite band?" I like Hombre Lobo and End Times both more than this, but this is still such a GREAT album.
I have liked eels since Novocaine for the Soul - I had the single on cassette. I love the off kilter ness, the humour and the depths of misery it plumbs, without ever being po faced. And they're all singable pop songs too. Their first 3 or 4 albums are all essential imho.
Wow, never heard of this guys, but after a couple of listens, I'm hooked. Beautiful and quirky songwriting, I'm going to download and dive into the whole catalog!
Classic Eels here, with the lovely "Novocaine For The Soul." opening. So reminiscent of REM (No Pun Intended) this is a delightful, funny, scary and intriguing album. I want it on Vinyl Now! Highlights "Susans House" which is Velvety if you know what I mean. "Rags to Rags" another glorious eant from E himself. Love it all, rightfully in this list for all the right reasons!
A+ stand out tracks: -Novocaine For The Soul -Susan's House -Beautiful Freak -Mental -Spunky (one of my favorite, lyrically) -Manchild (loved the instrumentals)
Este disco me costó conseguirlo. Sonaba mucho en Radio3 pero en las tiendas habituales no lo tenían. Un disco que desde el principio enamora y suena diferente. Años después leyendo el libro de Mr. E le cogí aún más cariño al este trabajo. Libro por cierto 100% recomendable: "Cosas que los nietos deberían saber" de Oliver Everett, Mark. ► Imprescindibles: "Novocaine for the Soul", "Susan's House", "Rags to Rags", "Beautiful Freak", "My Beloved Monster", "Flower", "Guest List" y para terminar "Your Lucky Day in Hell".
It is really important to kick off an album strongly, and Beautiful Freak understands this very well. From the very first second I am totally hooked! This is exactly what I expect from a pop record: quirky, versatile, surprising, filled with twists and turns, off-kilter. I had heard the following album to this one and the first thing that came to my mind was Beck; but when was that a bad thing? Also, I am reading that Mark Oliver Everett (the brain behind Eels) is from Virginia, USA, while I was convinced that he/they were British. They somehow sound British though, think of bands like Super Furry Animals or Gorky's Zygotic Mynci. No surprise then that opening track Novocaine For The Soul was a hit in UK). Track 2 features an upright bass while Mr E walks us over Susan's House all while taking a heartbreaking polaroid of a cruel, everyday suburban reality (There's a crazy old woman smashing bottles on the side walk/where her house burnt two years ago/people says that back then she really wasn't that crazy... Here comes a girl with long brown hair who can't be more than 17/she sucks on a red popsicle while she pushes a baby girl in a pink carriage/and I'm thinking that must be her sister, right?). Yup. I too have seen things while going over to Susan's house. The title track brings together Beach Boys arrangements, accordions, a spooky piano coda, and a lament about loving people when they are "different". My Beloved Monster instead is about that (beautiful) freak we all carry inside, begins with a banjo, that is soon left aside and adds some noisy flourishes. Flower is a nice update on American folk with a processed choir that points out at how we get slapped since day one and so on forever and ever. I really don't know weather someone else has ever sung the words "this could be your lucky day in hell" over such moving, lush melodies, and then go back to some distorted parts with such nonchalant elegance, but it works brilliantly. I wish I had more than 24 hours to spend with this album and write more about it, but I guess that is part of the challenge. Without any doubt, another essential that I surely need to add to my collection. On to the next one, but, hey, Beautiful Freak, see you soon, I hope.
Tuttu bändi aikojen takaa. Beatiful Freak ei itselleni koskaan ollut se läheisin tai tärkein Eels-levy, jota ihmettelenkin suuresti nyt jälkikäteen. Tämä levy nimittäin on juuri sitä rauhallista Eelsiä jota olen aina arvostanut. Mark Oliver Everettin kitarointi on soundiltaan jumalaista. Levyltä ei löydy suuria huteja. Hittejä sen sijaan enemmänkin. 4,5 joka nousee ylöspäin.
I enjoyed this so much, I listened to it again immediately after my first play. Lyrically & melodically unique and adventurous. Totally enjoyed it, and have added this and two additional Eels albums (so far).
Great album. Wonderful production. The opener is a (25 year old) modern classic.
In 1996 I heard Novocaine For The Soul and hurried that afternoon to my local record store to listen, and buy, the album. The album with its weird cover, parental advisory sticker and emotional, quirky indie-rock music became one of my most loved albums of that year. And it has not lost any of its power over the years. The clever lyrics, the many beautiful tributes to his mentally ill sister, the wide array of techniques, samples, instrumentation and inspired production makes 'Beautiful Freak' one of the most interesting, and at times haunting, debut albums I've heard in my life. The songs go between samply dreamy to guitar grungy and the tracklist makes it you're never bored by alternating between styles throughout. And to think that this the prelude to Electro-Shock Blues, which might be even a better album.
TBz 1. Novocaine For The Soul 2. Your Lucky Day In Hell 3. Guest List 4. Not Ready Yet 5. Mental I can keep going with top bangerz. I immediately connected with this album. It’s beautiful, dark at times, and deep. Solid 5!
очень очень хорошо!!! есть немного/много от нирваны, но в более чилловом режиме и еще реденько, местами марс вольта теперь один из любимых
Love this album, I used to listen to it a lot when I first got my car. I have great memories of it, but I'm drawing a blank at some of the titles on the second half. Looking forward to giving it another listen! Listening back to this, it's about as flawless as I remember. Love "Novocaine For the Soul", the piano and hip hop influences on "Susan's House", and the weird bee-guitar solo on "My Beloved Monster". Very weird and innovative, and that's just the big singles! Of the titles I didn't recognize, I knew them all and remembered most of the lyrics even. I love the melancholy and the weird humor on these tracks. Great bassline on "Your Lucky Day in Hell" too.
I went into this one cold. I may have heard something from it before, but I don’t think so. Really appreciated what felt like experimentation and creativity with restraint — every song had a spine of some sort. A hook/refrain/chorus that you were excited for it to get back to. Felt like someone with a degree in musical theory, but I say that as someone with nothing close to a degree in musical theory.m Also enjoyed that the lyrics had something to say, the use of spoken word, degree to which a lot of it seemed to be a subversion of something that initially seemed positive, etc.
Incredible album. I had heard novocaine in the 90s and liked it, but never bought the album. I wish I had. The whole thing comes together in thoughtful and unusual ways. Great songs and song variety.
Was my fourth or fifth favourite Eels album... but better than I remember it being
This ticks all of my alternative boxes. Mr Es autobiography is particularly good too.
This album is so mid to late 90s, it evokes images of puka shell necklaces and frosted tips. Pretty good anyway. Best track: Novocaine for the Soul
Dang this sounds nice, the sound is pretty smooth. Like what i've heard of them prior anyway, daisies and the 2020 one but yeah this is nice, tempted to check out more at some point, good album :)
I knew I needed to wait until I felt like listening. This was actually really good lol, Idk why it took me many months to finally make it all the way through. Probably started it like 8-9 times and turned it off because I just wasn't pulled in. Shoutout to that one song that's in Shrek lmao. Overall nice sound with varying beats and tones that still connect throughout.
A great record that I will happily listen to any time. Fairly simple songs structures, but well executed, with clever use of samples and some interesting instrument choices. Nice melodies and hooks, and I really like Mark Everett's distinctive vocals. Some of the lyrics can come across a bit patronising / condescending, but not enough to put me off listening.
Eels are one of those bands that so many people haven't heard of that have such a wide range of potential appeal. Smoky and passionate, Eels really feel unique. This isn't even their best-- hoping for Electro-Shock Blues and Daisies soon!
Heard the name but never really taken any notice of Eels before - I guess they got lost in the rest of 90s alternative rock. However really enjoyed this. Liked Everett's lyrics and voice.
I really liked this album. I'm not sure I really knew anything about Eels beforehand so it was a pleasant surprise!
Production: 12/20 Songwriting: 15/20 Innovation: 13/20 Bangers: 15/20 Emotional response: 14/20 =69 Very strong. Good lads.
really liked this. liked the lyrics and how it all sounded a bit sad. creepy cool cover.
“Sometimes it feels like I’m made of eggshells...and I’m gonna crack”. This is one of my favorite albums of the mid 90s. My wife and I when were dating used to sit in my room and listen to this album while staring at the ceiling like some silly episode of “My so called life”. This is the perfect Gen X/Elder Millennial album. It wallows in its angst and I love it.
This album hits! I really enjoyed it! It definitely has some tracks that will become part of my regular rotation.
Was good. I don’t know why I haven’t dropped the needle on it sooner. But the songs were memorable 90s bedroom pop/
I like the sound of this group and this album in spite of the creepy album cover. Added Eeels to my Spotify library.
Very nice. I like the Eels but haven’t delved too deeply into their catalog.
The album has a vibe and an emotion throughout which is so real to me. I can feel this album. Very unique sounding and enjoyable, with a good run time.
This album certainly has a lot of personality and it was a fun listen. Great opening few tracks. All in all some majestic keyboard riffs accompanied by rather avant garde lyrics. I Listened again on Sunday night and the album only got better on the second pressing (unlike olive oil)
I have a thing for artists that make me say "You must be quite fucked up to write this stuff" . Nova and Susan's House fit perfectly. I really like how the dreamy almost fantasy like music camouflages the angst. Think of a suicidal Mr. Rogers. The Guitar sound on Rags2R, Not Ready and Mental is quite amazing. Not sure if this shows producer rather than guitarist talent. Anyone notice the words “Winston Churchill in drag” on Your Lucky Day in Hell. The brother must be a fan of Supper’s Ready and P. Gabriel.
Cool album, adding to the library. Enjoyed a unique sound and interesting lyrics
I liked this one, had some great songs. Will definitely give it another listen
Um álbum que inicialmente soou muito a Shrek, até que chegou o My Beloved Monster e ai era demasiado parecido, uma breve pesquisa permitiu apurar que a música entrou no primeiro filme do nosso ogre verde favorito. O Álbum com esta comparação só lucra, é um elogio. Curioso e agradável no geral. Nota: 7/10
Pretty good album! After I finished listening, Spotify started shuffling other Eels songs, almost all of them I liked more than this album. Overall, glad to get to know Eels better than I did previously.
Susan's house was a great song. I enjoyed the album. I thought there was good emotion in the lyrics and also the composition felt complex. Nice to my ears
A solid album. After the first listen, I enjoyed the first song but overall felt the album was unremarkable. Listened to it again on a whim and it really got a lot better. Some nice, unique songs