This is a Random Album Generator.
Beautiful Freak
Eels
1996
Wikipedia
Reviews
Like a review? Give it a thumb up to help us display relevant reviews!This 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.
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
This was an absolutely beautiful album! First time listening, but it’s gonna be my go-to-album this whole weekend
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
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
Not listened to this in years. Still as haunting, melancholy, and beautiful as it ever was.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
I like Eels, favourite ablum is Daisies of the Galaxies, but I also like Souljacker, Electro-Shock Blues and Hombre Lobo. Not sure why I never listened to this one before but it<s another fine Eels album.
Seems to me like Eels' trademark is on an album with one incredibly good song followed by other good but not good enough songs. This album is a bit of an exception: everything is better than average.
Was nervous about returning to this one, as I suspect I'd overlistened to it in the past. I suspect that remains true, but it was a pleasant surprise even if it won't be back on heavy rotation.
no conocía a la banda, por lo que no estaba esperando nada en particular, pero debo admitir que este álbum me sorprendió completamente.
Annoying dynamics - just when you start to get into the tune, it stops dead. Completely. Then starts off in another direction. But overall its really good, and the sound is unique, in a good way. Mixture of synth/guitar sound is unmistakable and appealing. I really like this, though you definitely have to be in the right mood. It isn't background music.
Pretty good, does some really interesting stuff. Favorite tracks are Not Ready Yet and Mental.
I don't know why I didn't listen much to this - I think it's because I didn't like Eels fans much. But some truly ironic mid-90's tracks like Novacaine For The Soul. Angst ridden, iconic, etc etc... Enjoyed!
I have been a fan of the Eels since I first saw the video for "Novocaine for the Soul", the first track from this album. I'll listen to that track every time it plays. I've seen the Eeels in concert once, and I've listened to at least a few of their albums all the way through. I'm not absolutely sure if I've listened to this album as a whole, but I know I've done repeat listens to later albums from the band. On this album, like the later albums, there is a bit of darkness to many of the tracks backed by gently up-beat music. All of the tracks on this album are good enough for a second listen. This album is easily a 4-star album for me.
Can't believe I've never listened to this before. Only ever heard one track before on the Skrek soundtrack. Really cool, dark sound.
I've got this on CD somewhere I think, possibly in my parent's attic. Always had a soft spot for it, has some interesting songs on it, interesting structures and sounds. Bit of a shame they were never as good live. Songs that bring back good memories of my life in 1996, which was one of my very favourite times.
So good I listened to it 3 times in a row. I can hear Flaming Lips, Beck, and early Wilco in their music. Susan's House is my favourite here. Definitely got me curious to hear more Eels albums.
Marvelous roll lately with these minor chord pieces. Super happy this was on my play list today. Great change up for road music
I don't even know how to name this music style? post-grunge? pop-punk? However, this kind of music that remembers me of some rainy afternoon watching "How I Met Your Mother" and eating some pizza deserves some respect.
Was not pumped on this album during the first song or two, but I grew to like it more as the album progressed.
Eels are a classic 90s alt band but also do just enough to push beyond the genre to set them apart. Big fan.
Some of this kinda reminds me of Spoon and some of it kinda reminds me of Summerteeth era Wilco.
Liked it a lot, despite the cover art making me hesitant. Good vocals, and some really interesting vocals. Favorite Songs: Susan's House, Rags to Rags, Guest List
Not bad! Immediate throwback to their song from The Grinch soundtrack. Novocaine For The Soul is my fav on the album, the rest are pretty moderate.
I have a soft-spot for 90's rock music, especially corny alt-stuff (akin to things you would hear in Buffy the Vampire Slayer), and this album hits that spot perfectly. It's not a great album, but it's not bad by any stretch. I enjoyed it.
Þessi plata er bara helvíti skemmtileg, hlustaði á hana einu sinni í gegn og mikið eins og síðasta plata heyrði ég mörg góð lög, get léttilega hugsað mér að hlusta aftur á þetta. 4 stjörnur, gæti verið 5 ef ég myndi hlusta oftar en ég efast um það no offense
Wow what a cool, fun trip-hop jam! Some of these tracks were entrancing, like "Your Lucky Day in Hell" and the title track!
Well, this is a nice find. All completely new to me, and this album is very well done. I really like the overall sound and style. The performances and recordings are excellent. Giving it another listen now. Thanks, 1001 Albums project!
Haven't heard this album in quite a while. Reminds me of Tom Waits and Blur in places.
this album hits you in the feels and keeps you entertained with its jank metaphors and grungy, monotone vocals to convey the feeling of being of not good enough for love
I really enjoyed this album. I saw it pop up and immediately recognised it. As it turns out, it was incredibly popular in Belgium when I was growing up. Every once in a while I'm reminded of just how foreign I am, and certain things, like these things that I subconsciously grew up with, remind me of that
'Novocaine for the Soul' is an absolute banger! Nothing else hits that hard but this is a neat experimental album that was a hugely pleasant surprise. A couple of iffy tracks but similar vibes to Syd Matters which I'm here for.
Haven't listened to this for quite a few years! I thought I was fairly so-so about it, but actually this listen triggered quite a lot of affection. I can still get down with the affected hipster ennui... Fave track - "Novocaine for the Soul" was traditionally my go to, but this time around "Rags to Rags" takes the crown!
Eels sind irgendwie immer da aber nie im Fokus. Liebe ich schon ziemlich. wenn man mal auf die Texte hört teilweise echt überraschend düster, v.a. im Vergleich zu den layed-back sounds. Schön
Täähän oli ihan jepa. Hyvät saundit, tarttuvia kertsejä, miellyttävä lauluääni. Sisällöllisesti biisit aika +-0, mutta eipä se mua haittaa. Mainittakoon että tässä oli kokoajan semmonen taustaviba että tää on jonkun disney-leffan soundtrack, tyyliin Monsterit OY, ja tälle löytykin selitys, My Beloved Monster oli tietenkin Shrekissä. Tästä vois antaa miinuspisteitä mutta oikeestaan siitä tuli hyvät nostalgiat.
"Novocaine for the Soul" and "Susan's House" made some big promises, and this album delivers. Mark Oliver Everett's laid-back and introspective vocals, melodic arrangements are smooth and consistent against the chaos of his broken characters.
Mon adolescence Prefs: Novocaine for the Soul, Susan's House, Rags to Rags, Beautiful Freak, My Beloved Monster, Flower, Guest List, Your Lucky Day In Hell Moins pref: Not Ready Yet
Novocaine for the Soul is like Lou Reed meets Beck or Cake. This is some quirky, dark stuff. Initially, the songs are listenable and toe-tappers, but if you listen to the lyrics, these are dark, sometimes devastating songs. That irony is unsettling but also imaginative and intriguing. Also, unlike a lot of albums, this one builds as it goes. Some of the better tracks are in the middle/towards the end!
Better than I though, given the terrifying album art. Also hey! That one song from the Shrek soundtrack, a surprise to be sure-but a welcome one
Really strong start, I thought we might be on track for an unexpected 5 stars after hearing jazz, rock and trip hop in the first 2 songs. While the rest of the album was perfectly enjoyable, it seemed to settle into pretty standard fare, 4 star stuff. I will try and revisit this one though.
Eels can be relied on to provide playful tunes that shimmer and shine instrumentally while delivering dark lyrics struggling to make sense of life and the world. It makes for a very engaging listening experience!
This is adorably creepy and misanthropically cute. The comparison to a David Lynch movie is apt with darkness behind white picket fences --- Susan's House in fact sounds a lot like A Real Indication from the Fire Walk with Me soundtrack. This Could Be Your Lucky Day (sounds nice!)...In Hell (uh oh!). I truly love Novocaine for the Soul, My Beloved Monster, and Spunky (a cat named lola with a violent past is balled-up asleep 'cross her knees). There are a handful of songs that are a bit of a wash for me but I like the general feel.
So, if you had asked me yesterday if I know about this band called Eels, I would have shrugged and said "nope". However, when this album popped up with the cover staring me in the face, it struck me as somehow familiar. Then I started to play it and was singing along...not just to the first tune, but the second and the third... Thank you to this project for bringing this album back into my life!
Interesting music, interesting lyrics, totally listenable but never boring. It's a perfect choice of 90s alternative and "Beautiful Freak" is an apt description.
Interesting album, enjoyed it. Very 96 in the alt distortion, good chord progressions, sometimes the singing was good, overall catchy. Would possibly listen again
Wondering if the singer ever feels embarrassed at some of the lyrics on this album. They remind me of a high school student trying to write deep poetry. Some of the lyrics in "Susan's House" were almost laughably bad. Musically, however, this is pretty great. Genre-flipping, sometimes grungy, sometimes shoe-gazey, sounds very of-its-time (which is good because 90s alt is my personal favorite)
Pretty good, sounded a bit Charlie Kelly -ish in places. Enjoyed but wouldn't rush back
Kul, inte lyssnat på eels sen i gymnasiet. Inte riktigt lika bra som jag minns det kanske.
Not exactly bad, but aside from a few standout tracks (Laura's house, Lucky day in Hell) it feels rather forgettable.
First 2 tracks are weird. Some good melodies but seems like they're trying too hard to be strange. Beautiful freak. Not bad song repetitive lyrics. Not ready yet: best song so far. Very 90s. Overall not bad musically has some nice touches. Array of instruments and nice progressions. Lyrics are very pedestrian and predictable? While others seem random to be random. Maybe too weird for me personally. Some instruments seemed out of place. Some recording effects are great would be interested in learning a bit about some of them.
Interesting. I'm Surprised to see this band have 13 albums and i never heard of them. The album was relaxing and a few fun rifts. Reminded me of beck
wallflowers meet in the middle near everclear? 90s.... ya this is why folks give 90s rock a hard time
Some of these songs were featured in the 2001 hit film Shrek. Some of them were also not.
I think I enjoyed this album, it was fun and weird - which I liked. I doubt I'll listen again, so I can't go 4 or 5 stars but I was pleased to hear the Shrek song.
Really nice! First one I was totally unfamiliar with. A good representation of 90s alt rock. It requires a few more listens, I think.
Melancholy pop about fun topics such as unrequited love, suicide and mental illness is usually a downer, but Eels does a great job here on their debut album. Their sound becomes more fully formed in their later releases but this is solid effort. You can hear the late 90s lofi influences here ... Sparklehorse, Mercury Rev, Yo La Tengo etc, it was a pretty good time for the indie music scene IMO.
Eels és un grup que cau bé. La biografia del líder, Mark Oliver Everett, llegida fa pocs anys, va afegir valor a un àlbum que en el seu moment vaig comprar, atret pel single "Novocaine for the soul", i que sempre m'ha semblat agradable i inspirat.
My only hearing of Eels was from a song on the Hole’s soundtrack which, unfortunately, is not on this album. But I’m excited to listen to this since I enjoyed that song a lot. Creepy cover of daddy’s little beautiful freak crawling around on the ground. This feels like classic 90’s alternative in the vein of Sugar Ray and Shawn Mullins which I like. These alternative albums always remind me of hanging out by a pool in the summer or someone skateboarding through their neighborhood. I lied when I spoke earlier, there was a second song I had heard from Eels! My Beloved Monster is also on the Shrek soundtrack so it’s a good day when I can talk about Holes and Shrek in the same post. I hate to constantly bring it up, but this another good album. I say that because I thought this list would be the best albums. I’ve had it on in the background and have enjoyed it thoroughly but this is going in the same bucket as many other albums have so far.
Cuoricino per My Beloved Monster. Degli Eels però preferisco gli album Electro Shock Blues del 1998 e Blinking Lights and Other Revelations del 2005.
Songs are pleasant enough but it just sort of floats along in the background and never really grabbed my attention. Stoner music.
Largely forgettable pop-pish songs but a few good ones (eg. Manchild, Novocaine for the Soul)
Sounds like an early 90s alt rock album. Wasn't really thrilled or disappointed with this one. Made me wonder about people that say "yeah, eels is the best band, imo"
I always liked the song 'beautiful freak' and it's good to get the chance to hear the others. I expected it to be a bit 90's rock/pop and samie but actually I found it quite varied. There was a line about there being truth in lies or something which set me off on a right ponder.
Spoken section of "Susan's House" reminds me of "Shia LaBeouf". Sounds like 90s alt rock, quite pleasant. "My beloved monster and me" is the hit(ish) that I recognise. Very good closing track, feels exactly like the end of an album.
I went through an Eels phase earlier in my life. I've always liked a handful of songs (Spotify tells me I "liked" 4 before listening to this album). I ultimately decided Eels is watered down Beck, and this album proves that theory. Not like that's a bad thing, I still enjoy Eels and this album. It's just not a desert island album. Definitely belongs on the list. And Novacaine For The Soul is an all-timer.
Really enjoyed the instrumentals, and the singer was great vocally. Lyrically it did feel like it tried too hard to be edgy and deep though, but that can be ignored by just not paying attention to the words. Still a shortcoming of the record though.
“Novocaine for the Soul” was always my favorite song by The Flaming Lips until I just learned it was by the Eels. It’s probably my 20th favorite Eels tune. This album is pretty good, but below the quality of other Eels albums (Hombre Lobo and especially Wonderful Glorious). Disturbingly coolish artwork. A solid 3⭐️⭐️⭐️
Better than I thought from the name and the album art, but cant tell if this is just a better/more influential album in a genre I cannot appreciate or just a mediocre album.
Feeling pretty tired of this style of depressed, quirky white-boy genius type, which seems heavily over-represented in this list.
Novocaine For the Soul is a fantastic 90's alt-rock for me, but I wanted to be blown away by the rest of this album and didn't quite get there.
To be honest I kind of wanted this one to be over pretty quickly. I feel like I've been recommended a bunch of albums from the 90's performed by a bunch of dudes who are decent at writing, but fucking suck at singing. Like, I don't even think this guy would be that bad if he sort of stayed in his lane. But he decides to do some highs that I find feel like nails on a chalkboard. It's also got my beloved monster. Which I first heard in Shrek, so that's kind of fire.
28th September 2021 Listened in the morning before work, chilled one before one of jen's boys came for the evening and Liverpool smashed Porto away again. I like the juxtaposition between the innocent melodies and lyrics and the darker themes. Very autumn 90s.
First listen. I *think* I've heard the band name before, but not familiar with the songs at all. Immediately, loved the sound of the album. Kept listening back-to-back. Loved the sound and feeling of it. Can't wait to listen to it again. This is one of my favorite new first listens. So many great songs. 3/5 (for now)
Enjoyed listening to this. Creates a nice overall sound but without too much stand out tunes. Liked mental best
Very quintessential 90s with some interesting sampling, but not overdone. Reminds me of Beck, if he was a little more focused. The lyrics occasionally paint a great scene. Favorite tracks: "Susan's House", "Mental", "Your Lucky Day In Hell"
Starts off strong, but falls off later. Some great hooks and songwriting on the first half of the album though, almost a 4
I thought this album was interesting. Not amazing but worthy of a re-listen at some point 3.5
Misery loves company and 90's alt-rock. It has a strange feeling of almost childlike nursery music with dark lyrics. Like a creche run by Jimmy Saville. Best Tracks: Novocaine For The Soul; Susan's House; Mental
מיוחד בטירוף, אהבתי מאוד את הקצב בשירים, נשמע קצת כמו ערבוב של הרבה להקות כמו רד הוט, גורילז, פיקסיז, יש כמה שירים לא ממש מעניינים
Taugt nach zweimaligem Hören nicht ganz als Klassiker, Novocaine for the Soul habe ich aber damals schon sehr gemocht.
This is okay? Has an early Ben Folds vibe. Spunky Is probably my favorite track, but the whole album is at once pleasant and forgettable.
It was pretty good, I think I would need to listen to it another time. His voice was raspy and unconfident, but that is kinda his style from what i am getting at from some of his other songs. I liked Novocaine for the Soul, My beloved Monster, and Man Child
I feel like I should have heard of Eels before but I can't really recall them. Maybe the name is familair. Kind of nice laid back album though.
I really enjoyed this. Most tracks were a bit different. Not quite a 4 but definitely a high 3*
Hirvittävä kansi. Absoluuttisen kauhee. Musa taas seilaa jossain indien, radioheadin ja REM:in maastossa. Ei valittamista. Suht jees. 3/5
The lyrics can be rather compelling, but I don't find the songwriting all that engaging.
Surprised we didn't already know this band. How do you miss a strong alternative group from the 90s completely?
This album is a fun throwback to the 90s. The musical part of it is really good and contains a lot of interesting elements for the time in which it was made, especially the samples used on a few tracks. The lyrics are...I think too obvious is the word I'm looking for. There's very little craft to them, and it made the album hard to get into 3/5
Not bad at all- wasn't my favorite alt-rock album ever, but was certainly above average. Would probably give 3.5/5 if I could be more specific with my ratings.
Fairly mediocre, a lot of the songs sounded the same and were fairly boring/standard for the genre unfortunately.
Aikas outo levy ja en ole tainnut ikinä ennen kuulla. Alkuun vaikutti ihan lupaavalle, mutta loppua kohden kuivu kasaan. Ei ehkä ihan kolmosen arvoinen mutta menköön.
One of those things (like more famously, Semi-Charmed Life) where the whole color of the room changes depending whether you're paying attention to the lyrics. I listened once about halfway through before I realized this and decided to try it again once I had time to focus a little more on it. I appreciated it a lot more then, it's deceptively dark. Though I can't imagine when I'd want to return to it. One song is enough, and Novocaine for the Soul plays that role just fine!
My initial thought about this album is that it is more pop rock than I expected. I of course love the first song, but I find the rest of the album hit and miss. It will be interesting to hear other Eels albums against this one.
I never owned this one but always wanted it. I realized listening to it that I must have accessed it at some point because every song was familiar. Beautiful production (such clarity) and it’s definitely unique and fresh.
A quiet-ish listen while working earned them a full-volume listen while on the trainer, but for whatever reason it just didn't land. Feels like a "you had to be there" sort of album. *shrug*
Pretty good, some nice sounding songs on this, especially liked Novocaine For The Soul and Susan’s House.
Remember the two big hits of this album - never really got into Eels at the time but they were never a band I would turn off if their song came on the radio. Novocaine for the Soul still plays in my head on occasion, although I had forgotten about Susan's House until I listened to this. The album is pretty solid but doesn't feel like anything that would make it on to my regular playlist... don't think it would have at the time it was released either, had I bought it way back then. I definitely appreciate the craftsmanship in the lyrics more now than I would have then... Funny how some things just connect with you and others don't.
I must confess to be at a bit of a loss about how to review Eels’ 'Beautiful Freak.' I can’t think of two more apt words to describe it, though. It is often beautiful, if framed in melancholy, like a flower garden shrouded in the morning’s mist. In fact, on ‘Flower,’ lead vocalist E images himself as one, but in a hailstorm rather than the gentle dew. Accompanied by the mournful chorus of a ghostly choir, one gets the feeling his self-image has taken a beating by his life’s situations in general, but in particular, by women. ‘I’m never even on your (guest) list,’ he laments on ‘Guest List.’ ‘Rags to Rags’ pronounces his prior rags to riches plan a sour bust. He’s ‘Not Ready Yet’ (by a long shot) to reengage with the outside world. And, hitting rock bottom- literally- ‘no one will know my name until it’s on a stone (‘Your Lucky Day in Hell’).’ He sings all these tales of woe with a beautifully wounded voice that evokes an image of an abused, frightened puppy. The freak component of all this, however, is his unfortunate over identification with all these unrealized desires and dreams which has caused him to feel as if he’s deserving of all this misfortune. Essentially, the entre LP seems to be your invitation to his grand pity party. Don’t worry, though, there’s plenty of mood altering depressants to go around. The tiny band is certainly munching on some meds with rythym section Butch and Tommy Walter, and E himself on guitar and Wurlitzer electric piano, performing sparse arrangements with much restraint. There are little instrumental solos to speak of, with the exclusion of ‘My Beloved Monster,’ which delivered one the oddest sounding little breaks I’ve heard in a while. (I liked it, too, by the way.) ’Mental’ also featured some action towards the end, but I couldn’t figure out if the soloing was avant garde or just a lack of proficiency. Either way, I wished Eels would have stretched their legs a bit more on most of these songs. There’s some untapped potential in there, I reckon. I didn’t not like it. The question is: did I? And E, I’m puzzled by this about-face lyric on the concluding song, ‘Manchild,’ when you suggest to your negligent lover that ‘when you forget I’m here, I’m not. It isn’t really me that you forgot.’ Maybe the pity is finally being escorted out of this party?
Genre: Alternative Rock 3/5 Now a 3 might look like I didn't enjoy this album all that much, but I did enjoy it! Even more after recognizing one of the songs in the tracklist was in Shrek, and even a bit more so after realizing that they also had a song featured in Shrek 2, which was hilarious as those movies are emblazoned in my memory forever. Leaving that aside for now, Beautiful Freak, the debut album from the Eels, a group built by a singer/songwriter who goes by E, is pretty good all things considered. The first 3 tracks, Novocaine for the Soul (started slow, but grows into a solid jam), Susan's House (one of the best 90s alt rock songs I've heard in a while), and Rags to Rags (another solid pop/alt rock flavored track) do a very good job of making it seem like this album would turn out to be an alt rock masterpiece. After those 3, though, it fell into what ended up being a fairly decent alt rock experience, but nothing too much to write home about. My Beloved Monster, the song used in Shrek, was very funny to hear pop up, but isn't paritcularly enjoyable. All in all, not a bad record. A gem or two short of a 4, and should be entertaining for any average rock fan.
Not sure about this one. I find it difficult to describe the way this album keeps changing it’s sound song for song. The variety produces some great songs like ”Not Ready Yet” and ”Mental”. Also not too fond of the vocals on some songs, although they’re better on others. Idk It also feels strangely long for it’s length. I don’t think it’s a bad thing, but it’s worth noting
Alternatywne rokowanie jesli kiedykolwiek slyszalem jedne, jest to pierwszy album grupy Eelsowej, chociaz wiki mowi, ze jest to bardziej solowy material pana Mark Oliver Everett, pojawiajacego sie tu pod tajemicznym E, jest on autorem wszystkich trakow, gra na gitarce, klawiszach i byl odpowiedzialny za produkcje i mikserowanie, jak alternatywny rock to dodatkowymi instrumentami bedzie oczywiscie bas i drumy i to by bylo na tyle z zespolu, dodatkowo muzycy sesyjni wnosza dodatkowe klawisze, elektroniczne lub synthowo brzmiace, no i jakies dodatkowe gitarki czy inne tamburyny jak chocby na your lucky day in hell, ktory jak dla mnie prezentuje co najlepiej robi ta banda, czyli buduje sarkastyczne moodowe utwory, ktorych ironie mozna czuc zarowno przez melodie jak i slychac lirycznie, a taka synchronizacja to prawdziwe zaskoczenie, nawet nie sluchac, tylko czuc, ze robione mysla jednego czlowieka, pana E, moze taki akurat mam nastroj, ale trafiaja do mnie takie moodowe uzalania sie nad soba przedstawione w ciekawy sposob, bo tutaj jakies tamburino, tam brzdakanie akustyka czy banjo nadaje unikalnosci temu nagraniu, calosc ma 44 minuty na 12 trakach, wiec dosc standardowo jak na debiutancki material pod szyldem wytworni, poza wspomnianym lucky day in hell dodam jeszcze openingowego novocaine for the soul, ktory jest jednym z najpopularniejszych trakow zespolu, a nie wylacznie tego krazka, ktory jest specyficzny, ale sluchalny, pomimo tego ze pan E brzmi jak wyciety z szablonu brodatego okularowego alternatywnego grajka
Je débuterais en me plaignant de la voix du chanteur, ark. Les pianos, banjos, et autres sont souvent wack. Je l’évite, la maison de Suzan, n’y aller c’est pourri, beautifull freak Je lévite, not ready yet, c’était bon
A tough one to judge. Pleasant enough but not much caught my attention, even after two listens. Sounds more like the work of a solo artist than a band. I liked Mental. I would have given this a higher mark, but I didn't like to title track, especially the lyrics.
I wanted to like this so much, but it was too grungy for me. Kinda bummed me out to listen to it, and I felt like I couldn't relate to the content at all.
It's okay. The vocalist can get on my nerves at times and the songwriting isn't all that good either, but it keeps things interesting enough to maintain some semblance originality. I doubt this is anyone's favorite album though; it certainly isn't mine.
I remember the opening track. Brings me back to when I first started driving. Mostly forgettable.
Feels like a 90s emo album. Nothing to write home about. Novocaine For The Soul really only hit.
2.5 Everything was just kinda alright... Better that System of a Down because I could actually finish it
Thought it was alright. I could hear glimpses of music I like but not enough. No song got above a three.
There is so much potential in this music. Having said that, the lyrics are weak and trying too hard to be edgy. I can't help but compare this album with other music from the mid nineties that successfully capture feelings of isolation and sadness without becoming heavy handed. As for the music itself, I really enjoyed the first half of the album, but it just doesn't fulfill what it could be. By the second half of the album, it starts to fall flat. Guitar arpeggios are great, but not when they make up the entirety of the album.
Grew on me a good bit in the second listen. Still dragged a lot and struggled to contain my attention much. One of the albums where I kinda wish the ranking system was out of 10 - I've given so many 2s and 3s that it's hard to distinguish between the both of them. Saved: Susan's House*
The album has a juxtaposition with the dark lyrics and melodic instrumentals and chorus’. The chorus’ seem too repetitive. The album has a sense where it’s easy to listen to but it’s hard to enjoy. 5.6/10
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."
The lyrics…..no….. Good first song though. It was promising but plummeted. But the lyrics were cheesy / 16 year old bong hit (as Ian says) vibes.
Another one I've never heard of - album cover is creepy. It's indie rock, first song vaguely familiar but that could mean nothing, it's suuuuper generic alternative rock. I kept thinking the next song was gonna be going the distance by cake. 2/5.
Novocaine for the soul is a classic 90s slacker tune - and definitely the highlight of the album.
Sounds a bit like Soul Coughing making a Babybird album, but without being quite as good as either.
Wasn't crazy about this one -- a little too indie for me I think. Almost sounded like Wilco but I didn't find as many songs I loved. Cool cample of that Gladys Knight song that Atmosphere samples -- and I didn't hate the two songs at the end.
Ja, richtig, diese Kritiker Darlings gab es auch noch. Anfangs ganz schön catchy, aber nach 2 Songs sind die Strukturen doch zu einfach gezimmert. Indie Rock halt zu einer Ben Folds/Beck‘schen Post-Crossover Zeit ehe Neues von Dandy Warhols oder Grandaddy den 90er ins neue Jahrtausend verhalfen. Die letzten beißen auch Super Furry Animals’ Golden Retriever. 2.3
Best Song: Susan's House. Down-earth lyrics that don't tread so heavily on cliché ideas. Worst Song: Beautiful Freak. Cheesy and massively overplayed lyrics. I think the writer thought the juxtaposition of "beautiful" and "freak" was a lot more unique and poetic than it is. Overall: Sounds like the soundtrack to a movie I wouldn't like. Feels as though the music derives its whole purpose from believing it is counter-culture.
Hmm, tää levy oli tullu mulla jo kertaalleen eli ilmeisesti tää ryhmä sekoittelee uudelleen näitä mulla jo tulleita levyjä. No, tän suhteen on kyllä kääntynyt mielipide aika voimakkaasti kun on kuunnellut enemmän näitä levyjä. Aika laiskaa eikä juurikaan puhuttele tämmönen "cool" apatia, joten 2/5.
Hmh, hetkittäin ihan kaunista kitarointia, mutta aika vaisua menoa keskimäärin. Ottaen huomioon, kuinka kovia indie-levyjä ysärillä ja nollarin alussa tehtiin, on tän listan valinnat kyseisestä genrestä ollut tähän asti ihan kummallisia.
Listened to on 3/31/22 1.5/2 Favorite song: your lucky day in hell Absolutely not - I’m worried for all of their mental wellbeings
Don't actually have a huge amount to write about that one. Opening track is good, but goes a bit beige after that. Not unpleasant to listen to, but in no way memorable. Could have waited until after my death. 2/5.
First time really listening to Eels. I feel like maybe I would of enjoyed it more if I have a past connection to it. I didn’t hate it, but didn’t love it.
Ja känner att de finns int rikit makten å känslan i musiken här för att de allvarliga ämnena ska kunnas tas på allvar… tbh!
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
Hey, it's been almost 20 years since I listened to this. The opener, "Novocaine for the Soul", still sounds good. The rest is boring middle-of-the-road alt-rock. His gruff monotonous voice starts to grate. The music sounds dated and flimsy. The songwriting often seems to aim for the profound, but ends up being the ramblings of a bore. 1.5
Mi fanno venire in mente i Placebo. Però più lamentosi. Anche gli smashing pumpkins. Non penso che siano male, ma mi annoiano.
Dark personal lyrics on the human experience, chill rock vibes. I need some sleep is really good
Buenas melodías. Tranquilo de escuchar. Pop relajado