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 (5 Customer Reviews)
ELECTRO-SHOCK BLUES is the ultimate example of artistic-statement-as-therapy-session. Written and recorded in the wake of the death of family and friends, the songs here are full of sorrow and bereavement, but redeemed by a self-conscious sense of black humor. The man formerly known as "E" is first and foremost a popster though, so no matter how downhearted things get (and with song titles like "Going to Your Funeral" and "The Medication is Wearing Off," this is no day at the beach) there are enough hooks to keep it all afloat. There's a sparseness to the arrangements that suits the stark nature of the subject matter, but the intimacy thus created allows ELECTRO-SHOCK BLUES to communicate that much more directly. Check your razor blades at the door.
Producers: E., Jim Jacobsen, Mickey P., Michael Simpson, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.
Engineers include: Mickey P., E., Jim Jacobsen.
Personnel: E (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Butch ? (vocals, drums); Stuart Wylen (guitar, alto flute, bass flute, Fender Rhodes piano); Parthenon Huxley (guitar); Grant Lee Phillips (electric guitar, banjo, background vocals); Cynthia Merrill (cello); Jim Jacobsen (clarinet, keyboards); Bill Liston (saxophone); Jon Brion (organ, chamberlin); John Leftwich (upright bass).
Audio Mixers: E; Michael Simpson; Greg Collins ; Jim Jacobsen; Jim Lang; Mickey P.
Unknown Contributor Role: Elton Jones.
Arranger: Jim Lang.
Eels: E (vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards); Butch (vocals, drums).
Additional personnel: Grant Lee Phillips (electric guitar, banjo, background vocals); Stuart Wylen (guitar, alto & bass flutes, Fender Rhodes); Parthenon Huxley (guitar); Lisa Germano (violin); Cynthia Merrill (cello); Jim Jacobsen (clarinet, keyboards, bass); Bill Liston (saxophone); Jon Brion (organ, Chamberlin); John Leftwich (acoustic bass); T-Bone Burnett (bass).
Lyricist: E.
Rolling Stone (10/29/98, p.76) - 3.5 Stars (out of 5) - "...E's anguished response to the deaths of several friends and to his becoming...the last living member of his family....introspective arrangements are occasionally relieved by blasts of noise or elegantly colored string, horn and keyboard touches..."
Entertainment Weekly (10/23/98, p.80) - "...BLUES is oddly moving and surprisingly accessible. Written after frontman E's mother was diagnosed with [cancer], it lays bare the horrors of terminal illness in songs that shift from clinical to disconsolate....You'll hum along even as you recoil in disgust." - Rating: A-
Q (9/02, p.104) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Even the acoustic tracks hold up well in the live setting..."
CMJ (1/11/99, p.5) - "...ELECTRO-SHOCK BLUES was one of 1998's most oddly powerful pop albums, demonstrating that weighty, tearful emotions, pretty melodies and groovy tempos can harmoniously complement one another..." Electro-Shock Blues Music Eels Electro-Shock Blues Songs Electro-Shock Blues Music Review Average Rating: (5 out of 5 stars)  i'm gonna fly on down to buy this album
this album is a magnificent collection of some of the most meaningful ,poignant and happy-come-sad songs ever to grace the music scene. after "beautiful freak" it was hard to see how eels could advance from there into becoming a truely great band with more than one classic album. possibly the most tragic period of E's life was the inspiration for this album; most of the songs relate to the suicide of his sister elizabeth and the cancer of his mother (i.e. elizabeth on the bathroom floor, cancer for the cure to name the obvious ones). the former is the opening track and sets the tone perfectly - a haunting song written about his sister's last despairing moments leading up to her suicide. the latter is a clangy, bass-y classic that will make you want to jump up and dance despite its subject. songs like "electro-shock blues" and "going to your funeral" also create immense feeling of sadness, whilst songs such as "hospital food" and "my descent into madness" seem to do the total opposite. all these songs are excellent, but the one that really stands out as a major classic with its happy-come-sad tone in its lyrics and incredibly catchy tune, is "last stop: this town" - this song is one of my all time favourite eels songs and right up there with the likes of "novocaine for the soul", "flyswatter" and "mr e's beautiful blues"
Submitted by eels' biggest fan (England)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 1 of 1 found this helpful. good as eels has always been
This is a goods stuff. If you like it wait to listen for SOULJACKER the lastest record.
Submitted by a reviewer (mexico city) 
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No wonderful album
this album is way better than i expected. i was justing hoping it would be at least half as good as the previous album "beautiful freak" (a true classic). but this album is just as good - amazing!! the best tracks are "last stop: this town", "cancer for the cure", "hospital food" and "elizabeth on the bathroom floor". fantastic album that works on so many levels. i recommend this along with all their other albums (especially beautiful freak, daisies of the galaxy and souljacker). their latest so far "SHOOTENANNY!" is disappointing so dont buy that as your first eels experience. this MUST BE BOUGHT!!!!
Submitted by Joe (Area 51)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Excellent but not the best
this is eels second album (E's third) and i think, apart from souljacker it is the weakest. it was always going to be an extremely tough task bettering beautiful freak, and unfortunately they havent yet. however, that doesnt mean that this or any of their other albums arent amazing too, because they are. this is very depressing and i think E must have been going through a bad time while writing it, but i still love it. my favourite track is "cancer for the cure" which has a great intro but is perhaps a bit too repetitive. its a great album though and i recommend anyone to buy it!
Submitted by josemorrisinio (Bristol, England)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No trublue*****
if you have ever been in charter this one is for you.kidding.tuneful songs on here.keeps you away from the s-word.looking for america anyone.
Submitted by a reviewer (n.r.h,tx.)
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