Souljacker- this is the fourth album by E (Mark Oliver Everett) and the gang. I didn’t think this album was as good as some of the previous Eels albums; I was quite disappointed with the apparent way that Eels seemed to be taking on a more ‘rocky’ feel with their music. However, I do think ... Read review
killer who claimed to steal the souls of his victims, and dedicated to Life's lost, this fourth visit to E's deadpan world is slyer, more awkward, beautiful and odd than anything he's done since "Novocain For The Soul" established him as the ultimate geek back in 1996. Depicting all manner of tragic misfits from teenage witches ("Teenage Witch") to the desperately lonely ("Friendly Ghost"), Souljacker should be a depressing listen. But after the fantastically ramshackle soundtrack of dirty guitars, cosy strings and ambling break beats, E's greatest gift is the ability to spike the saddest tale with a twisted turn of phrase. Be it "World Of Shit"'s backhanded compliment: "In this world of shit / baby you are it", the desperate "Mum won't shave me / Jesus can't save me" of "Dog Faced Boy" or his retort to his girlfriend's mocking of his manhood "You say a lot of funny things my little bunny / and I almost always laugh / but that's not really funny" the darkest tales are his most amusing. A lo-fi masterpiece, with plenty to laugh and cry about, Souljacker confirms E as the undisputed king of geek-dom and a bona fide musical genius. --Dan Gennoe
killer who claimed to steal the souls of his victims, and dedicated to Life's lost, this fourth visit to E's deadpan world is slyer, more awkward, beautiful and odd than anything he's done since "Novocain For The Soul" established him as the ultimate geek back in 1996. Depicting all manner of tragic misfits from teenage witches ("Teenage Witch") to the desperately lonely ("Friendly Ghost"),Souljackershould be a depressing listen. But after the fantastically ramshackle soundtrack of dirty guitars, cosy strings and ambling break beats, E's greatest gift is the ability to spike the saddest tale with a twisted turn of phrase. Be it "World Of Shit"'s backhanded compliment: "In this world of shit / baby you are it", the desperate "Mum won't shave me / Jesus can't save me" of "Dog Faced Boy" or his retort to his girlfriend's mocking of his manhood "You say a lot of funny things my little bunny / and I almost always laugh / but that's not really funny" the darkest tales are his most amusing. A lo-fi masterpiece, with plenty to laugh and cry about,Souljackerconfirms E as the undisputed king of geek-dom and a bona fide musical genius. --Dan Gennoe
A review by lc15 on Souljacker - Eels June 5th, 2007
Author's product rating:
Originality
Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics
Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks
A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Good
Value for Money
Good
Advantages:
The originality of the music
Disadvantages:
A little more 'rocky' than their earlier work
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Souljacker- this is the fourth album by E (Mark Oliver Everett) and the gang. I didn’t think this album was as good as some of the previous Eels albums; I was quite disappointed with the apparent way that Eels seemed to be taking on a more ‘rocky’ feel with their music. However, I do think that this could be a new direction which could take off and make Eels an even more diverse band that can produce a wide range of music; all of which could cater for anyone’s tastes.
Daisies of the Galaxy was my first introduction to Eels and was followed by Beautiful Freak and Electroshock Blues, all of which I loved completely. After one of my friends had let me hear some of her music, I was hooked. I even bought E’s solo albums so that I could hear some of his own stuff.
By the titles of the songs, and some of the previous songs released by Eels, this album 'should' be depressing, however it is quite the opposite. E can take the darkest and saddest story and turn it about to be exciting and catchy. With some of the songs rather forgettable, after a few more listens, it is clear to see that this new direction could be a positive turn about. Some influences could be seen in bands such as Sparklehorse or Alfie.
Although I was a bit disappointed, as the band seemed to be going more ‘rocky’, there were some songs which jumped out at me as being new Eels songs that I would really enjoy. The band employ so many different musical instruments and use them all in such a way that impresses me and intrigues me into hearing more of this band and where they are going to go in the future. Lyrically, E is genius with these thought-provoking words and his husky voice gets me lost in the songs.
My favourite song would be Bus Stop Boxer, which I think is a great tune. That’s Not Really Funny is another great song and Fresh Feeling which is a happy song you can sing along to the lyrics which cheer me up.
Advantages: Good songs mainly Disadvantages: New direction not immediately appealing, a few less great moments
....
* Woman Driving, Man Sleeping *
Probably the best ballad eels have ever recorded, it’s a fairly simple song from a musical perspective. Just an electro acoustic guitar, subtle strings and a drumbeat for most of the song. This provides the backing for a lyrical story. Sometimes it’s telling the sad tale of a woman driving alone in “a little metal box under the stars” and other suitable metaphors for late night journeys. Other times it’s more upbeat as we get to peer into the mans dreams. Simple but very effective.
* Souljacker part 1*
A restrained yet slightly funky intro moves the pace back up for Souljacker part 1. It’s not long though until E shouts “Ah yee” and blues guitars rip in. Throw in an almost atonal guitar solo and you have a strange blues song. Lyrically it’s once...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: A mixture of good sounds | Excellent lyrics once more Disadvantages: Some weak tracks
...First there was the birth of the Eels with Beautiful Freak. A bunch of quirky, rocky little tunes that got them noticed for the first time. Then there was the funeral when things took a turn to the darkside with Electro-shock Blues. Daisies of the Galaxy was the wake, stepping out of the shadows and into the bright sunshine. So what would we class Souljacker as? Well the calling it the marriage seems suitable as E himself got himself hitched whilst recording this album. This unconventional path of life has been rewarding to the fans so far and seems to carry on with the latest album.
Souljacker is a mix of heavy rock and gentle love songs. The rock is sometimes raw and often harsh in mood and tone, linking to the Electro-shock Blue phase. The gentle love songs are obviously inspiration from his wife. They make up quite...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Superior lo-fi Disadvantages: Superior lo-fi
...Souljacker is Mark ‘E’ Everett’s fourth album proper under the guise of Eels and he has again produced a masterpiece. Strangely for an American bad Eels have been pretty productive over the years and this is their third album in a year and a half. But the quality does not suffer due to the productivity of the man called E.
For those of you who don’t know Eels (which begs the question, "why are you reading a review of their new album"), they are a lo-fi American indie band. Everyone’s heard Novocain For The Soul and possibly Mr E’s Beautiful Blues (uh-hu). E has gained the reputation for being the most unlucky man in rock over the years after a string of personal tragedies that inspired the dark (but wonderful) Electro-Shock Blues back in 1998, which may not seem like a long time ago, but in those...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Album Notes: This is the fourth album from Eels, their previous album 'Daises Of The Galaxy' was released in 2000. A combination of mainstream indie and power pop, with influences of Sparklehorse and Alfie. Features 'Souljacker Part 1', the video of which was directed by Wim Wenders.
Titles on disc 1
1.: Dog Faced Boy
2.: That's Not Really Funny
3.: Fresh Feeling
4.: Woman Driving Man Sleeping
5.: Souljacker (part 1)
6.: Friendly Ghost
7.: Teenage Witch
8.: Bus Stop Boxer
9.: Jungle Telegraph
10.: World Of Shit
11.: Souljacker (part 2)
12.: What Is This Note
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