Friday, April 16, 2021

E - A Man Called E (1992)


The music of Mark Oliver Everett -- aka E, best known as the only permanent member of Eels -- has remained more or less unchanged for about three decades now. Sure, he has singer-songwriter mode (his default setting), weirdo pop mode, 'rock' mode (NOT GOOD), and even Shrek mode, but it's all splitting hairs around the same mopey, lovesick smart-ass. The only thing that's really changed about his music has been its quality, which has taken a significant downturn over the past 15 years or so.

His debut album, A Man Called E finds him in full-blown pop-rock singer-songwriter mode, and it's often more effortless, thoughtful, and mature -- not to mention concise -- than anything he'd put out as Eels. Due to having first heard them as a stoned sadsack teenager, I'll always have a very special place in my heart for Beautiful Freak and Electro-Shock Blues, but as a content but anxious adult, A Man Called E is my favorite thing dude's ever done.

Track listing:
1. Hello Cruel World
2. Fitting In with the Misfits
3. Are You & Me Gonna Happen
4. Looking Out the Window with a Blue Hat On
5. Nowheresville
6. Symphony for Toy Piano in G Minor
7. Mockingbird Franklin
8. I've Been Kicked Around
9. Pray
10. E's Tune
11. You'll Be the Scarecrow


Also listen to:

4 comments:

  1. Great stuff!!! Have you his second album? Thanks!!!

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    1. So glad you like it, I do have his second album. I've never quite connected with it the way I do with this one, but I'm probably due for a re-listen. Enjoy! https://mega.nz/file/4ZAiSZhS#0lcrV3z50luRizhNMGSOTgfjsATpgA7PZLgbn9tKaA0

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  2. Many thanks for sharing this DEAR_SPIRIT.....a very nice album.

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    1. You're welcome, happy to hear you like it. Cheers!

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