The second CD of Eels is even more a solo project by professional pessimist E than the debut Beautiful Freak from 1996. On that album you had the idea of listening to a band, but on Electro-shock Blues he does, partly due to the departure of bass player Tommy, pretty much everything himself. He is helped in this by his regular drummer Butch and a number of guest musicians such as Grant Lee
… Philips (from Grant Lee Buffalo) and other less known people for violin, cello and clarinet parts. In his interview with Oene Kummer (Oor 19, 1998), E says: 'This is typically a CD that people don't play for pleasure'. And indeed, E makes a very gloomy impression. Cause: the death of his sister, a friend, his landlord and the incurable illness of his mother. Yet between songs with titles like Going To Your Funeral, Cancer For The Cure and Hospital Food again enough gems that make you very happy despite everything. (WvdZ)more
