Mark Oliver Everett
is a man capable of writing an irresistible pop tune when he feels like it. He also seems to think that's a rather empty pursuit, and he prefers to twist his melodies and production into more challenging forms as he ponders his neuroses in song.
Everett
is the mastermind behind
Eels
, and much of the ad hoc group's catalog documents a tug of war between his tuneful side and his off-kilter world view, yin and yang chasing one another through his recording rig. With
Eels So Good: Essential Eels, Vol. 2 (2007-2020)
, a collection that pulls highlights from his catalog from his 2008 score for the film
Yes Man
to the 2020 album
Earth to Dora
,
sets aside his essential duality and shares 20 tracks that, for the most part, focus on the gentler and more engaging side of his personality. Which is not to say
don't get weird or noisy here, and the rough-hewn "Fresh Blood" seems to have been chosen to lead off the album just to throw off listeners from this collection's true purpose. There are also tracks like "Little Bird," which sounds sweetly pastoral until the rasp of
's vocals and the dour contemplations of his lyrics make themselves heard; his off-the-cuff exclamation of "Goddamn" manages to sound annoyed and genuinely poignant at once. Some might argue if this material truly captures
at their best, which is half the fun of listening to a "best-of" compilation, though this certainly features an impressive array of fine songs and performances that make the most of
's clever, unguarded songwriting and his estimable studio technique. Very few love songs manage to sound wary and smitten at the same time like "I Like the Way This Is Going," which should be a Valentine's Day staple among those fearing commitment, while "Peach Blossom" is a noisy bellow you can dance to. If you're looking for a (relatively) user-friendly introduction to the odd but engaging world of
is a good way to go, and it's a solid companion piece to 2008's
Meet the Eels: Essential Eels 1996-2006, Vol. 1
. Fans will want to know that the set includes three previously unreleased tracks, and the LP edition includes two songs that never made it to vinyl in their original release. ~ Mark Deming