Eels – Beautiful Freak (Dreamworks)
Strange album this one, or so the man called E would have us believe. The singer, guitarist, main songwriter, indeed main man, tries desperately to come across as the freak if the title, all spoken word hokey wisdom and go-nowhere paranoia, but like the saucer eyed girl on the cover, you can’t help but feel slightly manipulated.

Don’t get me wrong, the album’s okay in a second-rate Beck sort of way. The opener “Novocaine For The Soul” sets the tone and it all ticks along quite nicely. “Susan’s House” is a particularly fine track but overall, it all feels a little strained.

Wackiness should always appear natural, otherwise you’re just one of those sad gits wearing a cartoon necktie for work and pretending you haven’t got a girlfriend because you’re just too busy (i.e. playing Ultimate Doom, learning huge chunks of Simpsons dialogue off by heart and masturbating furiously over pictures of Winona Ryder).

LB (1997)

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