Meet the Eels: Essential Eels 1996-2006, Vol. 1 [CD/DVD] [PA] [Digipak] (CD - 2008)

Eels: Julie Carpenter, Heather Lockie, Paloma Udovic, Ana Lenchantin, Grant Lee Phillips, Jim Jacobsen, Joe Gore, Adam Siegel, John Parish, Jon Brion, Mark Goldenberg, Mark Oliver Everett, Ryan Boesch, T Bone Burnett, Big Al, Jennifer Condos, Koool G Murder, Tommy Walter, Matt DeMerritt, Todd M. Simon, Butch.

Issued in 2008, MEET THE EELS celebrates Mark Oliver Everett's first decade recording under the Eels banner. Proceeding in semi-chronological order from 1996's BEAUTIFUL FREAK to '06's LIVE AT TOWN HALL, the collection touches on all the proudly quirky alt-pop performer's significant releases, spending plenty of time on his acclaimed '05 double album, BLINKING LIGHTS AND OTHER REVELATIONS.

In addition to previously unreleased tracks (most notably an elegant remix of "Climbing to the Moon" by fellow L.A.-based musician Jon Brion), standout tunes include the Beck-like college-rock-radio hit "Novocaine for the Soul," the wry folk ditty "I Like Birds," and the melancholy chamber-pop number "Trouble With Dreams," which all showcase the Eels' knack for oddball narratives and engaging melodies. Along with Sparklehorse's Mark Linkous, Everett (aka E) is one of the 21st century's few true pop eccentrics working under a major-label umbrella, and MEET THE EELS is an excellent introduction to his strange but undeniably intriguing sensibility.

DVD Features:

Videos:

1. Novocaine For The Soul

2. Susan's House

3. Rags To Rags

4. Your Lucky Day In Hell

5. Last Stop: This Town

6. Cancer For The Cure

7. Flyswatter

8. Souljacker Part 1

9. Saturday Morning

10. Hey Man (Now You're Really Living)

11. Trouble With Dreams

12. Dirty Girl (Live At Town Hall) minimize