Souljacker (with Bonus EP) [Import] [Extra tracks]

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Special UK only edition of the L.A. based indie act's 2001 album. Includes a bonus EP titled '22 Miles Of Hard Road' with 4 tracks 'I Write The B-Sides', 'Hidden Track', 'Jehovah's Witness' & 'Mr. E's Beautiful Remix'(Butch 'N' Joey Remix).

Tracks:

Dog Faced Boy
That's Not Really Funny
Fresh Feeling
Woman Driving, Man Sleeping
Souljacker Part I
Friendly Ghost
Teenage Witch
Bus Stop Boxer
Jungle Telegraph
World Of S#!t
Souljacker Part II
What Is This Note?

Tracks:

I Write The B-Sides
Hidden Track
Jehovah's Witness
Rotten World Blues

Amazon.com

If irony could be traded like currency, Eels singer-songwriter E would be a wealthy man. As it is, his remarkable ability to filter out the mundane and focus on the fringes, where the really interesting cats dwell, guarantees he'll always have a career but will never be a household name. On Souljacker, E and the gang frame a motley assortment of characters with the sonic equivalent of a doodle pad--all random squiggles, free-floating words and phrases, disembodied hearts, and unblinking eyes. As such, unlikely bedfellows--"Dog Faced Boy," "Friendly Ghost," "Bus Stop Boxer," "Woman Driving, Man Sleeping"--are bundled in a patchwork quilt of guitars, bass, drums, organ grinder-style synth, and quite possibly a toy piano and percussion. The unabashedly goo-goo-eyed ballad "Fresh Feeling" launches with a swell of strings, just to underscore how dreamy our protagonist feels, and the spastic instrumental twitches on "That's Not Really Funny" counter the song's title, while doubling as one of the few elements able to snap E's voice out of its vaguely narcoleptic drone. Ruggedly individual and wickedly catchy (not to mention more upbeat than the two death-obsessed albums preceding it), Souljacker cements E's position as patron saint to the weird-and-weary-but-still-hopeful. --Kim Hughes

Customer Reviews:

Crazy sweet........2004-11-11

Souljacker is a great addition to anyone's CD collection. The CD starts out with an interesting sound that seems as though it's gonna be a hard-rockin cd. Dog faced boy has some catchy guitar rifs, but the Eels really flex their odd flavor in the more mellow songs such as woman driving, man sleeping, which has an excellent acoustic soud. The best song on the album by far though is Bus Stop Boxer. The lyrics are just amazingly writen and composed. Highly recomend this cd to anyone who's looking for something great that is different from any other cd's.

Great Listen.......2004-04-14

Maybe a product of past critical success and some great albums, but reading reviews here, seems E is suffering from some very exacting expectations. By any standards this is a great album. Forget the lyrics (which are nothing if not unique, interesting), there are some really great melodies here. "Fresh Feeling" is the stand-out track.

Poor effort.......2004-04-06

I thought Mark Everett could do no wrong...until I heard this album. Souljacker embodies everything that is wrong with 90% of all "independent" music these days--all hype and no content. If you fancy yourself a "hipster" (yes you with the trucker hat and thrift store wardrobe) who base their music purchases solely on the amount of hype surrounding a particular artist, then this is right up your alley. For those of you who can actually tell the difference between art and commercialism, don't waste your money. Sorry Mark, but Beautiful Freak this ain't.

New Fan Is Impressed.......2003-12-12

Yes, I'm new to the Eels fan base and when I picked up a copy of Souljacker, I wasn't expecting a whole lot. But after listening to Dog-Faced Boy and Souljacker Part 1 I was completely blown away. I was very impressed with the underlying appeal of their music and their message which is indelibly ingrained into the guitar riffs. As a new fan, I think that Souljacker honestly represents the band and I would recommend it for anyone who is a fan of hard rock.

Good, but not as good.......2003-05-16

Beautiful Freak is one of my favourite records of all time - its an album that swims in sadness and is simultaneously life-affirming. High hopes, then, for Souljacker. The good news is, er...its good. The bad news is, quite simply, its not as good.

The first thing to establish is that the turn for the rockier is not a problem with me. "Dog Faced Boy", "Souljacker Part 1" and "What Is This Note", the three tracks that take this direction, are all pretty cool. Equally, the opposite side is fine too - "Fresh Feeling" and "World of S#!t" are lovely love songs. In fact, there's nothing here to take particular exception too. Its even more eclectic than previous records. But there's not quite that touch of magic to it.

Frequently they plough the same territory as previous albums. "That's Not Really Funny" is the album's "My Beloved Monster" with its deliberately strange instrumental bits, but just isn't quite as inspired. "Friendly Ghost" is the I'm gonna-smile-anyway song. "Bus Stop Boxer" is the totally downcast, self-loathing song. And they're all perfectly fine, perfectly good - but don't I get the feeling Eels have done this better before? I mean, when I first heard this record I thought, rockier, more diverse - nice. But then I happened to slip on Beautiful Freak and I thought, its just not the same league, is it?

There's not that wide-eyed, tear-inducing, painful, beautiful, dashed-but-still-there hope of that record here. Its perfectly possible to make yourself like or even love Souljacker, because, taking the ingredients of each song, and seeing what they do, its well-executed, well-written and its good stuff. But it doesn't force you to just love it like Beautiful Freak does, isn't that incredible record. For that, unfortunately, its down to a respectable, but disappointing, 3 stars.

Souljacker
Average customer rating:

This is what music *should* be.

unbEELievable

The Eels Strike Again With Another Masterpiece

Fresh yet again, but just as good

HITS THE SPOT AGAIN

Souljacker
The Eels
Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Daisies of the Galaxy

Electro-Shock Blues

Blinking Lights and Other Revelations

Beautiful Freak

Shootenanny!

ASIN: B00005NV6A
Release Date: 2001-12-18

Tracks:

Dog Faced Boy
That's Not Really Funny
Fresh Feeling
Woman Driving, Man Sleeping
Souljacker Part I
Friendly Ghost
Teenage Witch
Buss Stop Boxer
Jungle Telegraph
World of Shit
Souljacker Part II
What Is This Note?

Album Description

4th album from the Eels. 12 tracks including 'Dog Faced Boy', 'Friendly Ghost', 'World Of Shit' & 'Teenage Witch'.

Album Details

Fourth Album for the Eels who Put a Novel Twist on the Post-grunge Low-fi Norms of American Indie Bands. Will Not Be Released in the Us Until January 2002.

Customer Reviews:

This is what music *should* be........2002-04-04

While The Eels' previous album ("Daisies of the Galaxy") was an incredible one in it's own right, I was never able to fully submerge myself in it. Maybe I just had unreasonably high expectations after the opus that was "Electroshock Blues"...who knows?

"Souljacker" - the latest and unquestionably greatest - from E and the boys succeeds where "Daisies" did not. The tracks are a tad more reminescent of old school Eels, but with a considerably evolved feel; that is, the sound's definitely familiar, but not by any stretch just a regurgitation of their first two albums.

The music alone on this album is *awesome*. The band employs so many different instruments and sounds that it's hard to separate one from the other; you can't help but be overwhelmed by the funky richness of The Eels' sound. E's voice stays true to that mellow, husky flavor (breaking free for the occasional "Woooo!") and - lyrically - the man proves once again that he's a master of subtle brilliance.

Truth be told, there's not a single track on "Souljacker" that I don't like. This is one of those rare discs that can be enjoyed from start to finish, without skipping a single track. The opening track, "Dog-Faced Boy", has an absolutely intoxicating drum beat (as well as the wonderful lines, "Mama won't shave me/Jesus can't save me"). "Fresh Feeling" is perfect and mellow, "Friendly Ghost" is the epitome of all that a song should be...aagh, it's hard to single out a favorite...

What can I say: This CD is wicked good. One of the best albums that I own, if that means anything to you.

unbEELievable.......2002-03-05

I first saw SOULJACKER while I was in Barcelona last year, but instead of buying it I got ELECTRO SHOCK BLUES... Not a single day has passed in which I don't regret getting both, but that was until about two days ago, when, finally, my copy of SOULJACKER arrived. ELECTRO SHOCK BLUES made me devotional about Eels, but SOULJACKER just blew my mind!!! This album is easily the most refreshing twist on rock and pop culture, while it is still EELS... It's not as sublimely sad as the first two, and not as ironically smiley as the previous one, this re-defines the whole style of a new born band, which, luckily for us, hasn't lost a bit of what made us love them. SOULJACKER ROCKS TO THE CORE!

The Eels Strike Again With Another Masterpiece.......2002-02-03

Eels have always been one of the most overlooked bands on the American side of the Atlantic. Its undernourishment when it comes to US sales has led singer-songwriter Mark Oliver Everett (otherwise known as E) to release "Souljacker" in England first.
Don't let the steep import price throw you off. If you want an album of excellent rock, then just consider "Souljacker" worth the price of two albums - because it is. And if you really are stingy and don't want to spend more, don't worry because "Souljacker" is being released in America soon. And once it is, every single person who appreciates true music should pick it up.
2000's "Daisies of the Galaxy" was a masterpiece of leaving the past behind and looking forward. It seemed that E was finally content with life. Not so. "Souljacker" has more lyrical edge than any of the Eels' previous work, and guitar bombast to boot too. On "Souljacker Pt. 1," when E let's out a maniacal shriek, he sounds like he really means it.
"Souljacker" is not all rockers though. Tracks like "Bus Stop Boxer," "Friendly Ghost," and the fantastically titled "World of S**t" are heartbreaking ballads in the style of "Daisies of the Galaxy" or "Electro-Shock Blues." And at times, E is able to let himself laugh. "Jungle Telegraph" is a wildly comical story of the life of a juvenile delinquent.
"Souljacker" is the first album in a while that recieves my full endorsment. You should buy it. Your spouse should buy it. Your mother should buy it. Your boss should buy it. "Souljacker" is a strong contender for best album of 2002.

Fresh yet again, but just as good.......2002-01-12

Once again the Eels manage to reinvent themselves while keeping whatever it is that makes them so good. Yes, the sound is different, more rock-like - between REM and the Bangles' "Walk like an Egyptian"... - but the melody is still there underneath, the lyrics just as (in turn or simultaneously) witty/funny/touching... If you liked their previous work, you won't be disappointed !

HITS THE SPOT AGAIN.......2001-11-15

Didn't think they would be able to follow the last one - but this is TOP NOTCH stuff - from the first chords of Dog faced boy the album doesn't stop - when it comes out in the US buy it!!!!

Average customer rating:

Jacked and Whacked
E is a rockin'!
Life is beautiful (and bizarre)
My heart is reeling...
New Sound For Eels!

Souljacker (with Bonus EP)
The Eels
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

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ASIN: B00005OM5F
Release Date: 2001-10-01

Tracks:

Dog Faced Boy
That's Not Really Funny
Fresh Feeling
Woman Driving, Man Sleeping
Souljacker, Pt. 1
Friendly Ghost
Teenage Witch
Bus Stop Boxer
Jungle Telegraph
World of Shit
Souljacker, Pt. 2
What Is This Note?

Tracks:

I Write the B-Sides [*]
Hidden Track [*]
Jehovah's Witness [*]
Mr. E's Beautiful Remix [Butch 'N' Joey Remix][*]

Album Description

Special UK only edition of the L.A. based indie act's 2001 album. Includes a bonus EP titled '22 Miles Of Hard Road' with 4 tracks 'I Write The B-Sides', 'Hidden Track', 'Jehovah's Witness' & 'Mr. E's Beautiful Remix'(Butch 'N' Joey Remix).

Album Details

Packaged in a Special UK-ONLY Edition; Includes a Bonus EP with Four Tracks (3 of which Are Exclusive to this Release).

Customer Reviews:

Jacked and Whacked.......2002-12-23

With their 4th album those masters of noise the Eels come at the kids a little bit harder and meaner than they have with their last two albmums. While Electro and Daisies were very melencholy and beautiful, Souljacker takes an angrier and uglier approach.

Thats not to say though that this album doesn't have a few of the love sick love songs that E excels at. 'Fresh Feeling' has got to be one of the most honest and heartfelt ditties in recent memory. And lucky for you, most of your lady (or gentlemen) friends probably haven't heard it before.

Bar none though, the best track 'Bus Stop Boxer' finds E climbing into that cardboard box home of his called alienation. When E sings "I can prove something to the world," you believe him and eagerly await what he has in store for us next.

E is a rockin'!.......2002-02-02

I dig the Eels. I bought E's first solo album when it first came out. In fact, I even saw him open for Tori Amos during her first tour. He was good then. He's a master of his craft now.
I dig the Eels. When I heard the Eels for the first time, I didn't know it was the same E. I love the Eels now.
I dig the Eels. I love this new album. I was lucky enough to find it used since it hasn't been released domestically yet. It rocks out a lot more than his past albums. It's not as "nice" as they were. It hits you with a punch and makes you stand up and say, "F... Yeah!!!!"
Buy this album, You'll dig it, too.

Life is beautiful (and bizarre).......2002-01-10

Eels are an eccentric lot, and they continue to revel in the bizarre and off-beat on their fourth album. Their previous cd "Daisies of the Galaxy" was a collection of weightless summery pop tunes, but Eels have returned slightly to the sound of "Beautiful Freak", which was a bittersweet brand of grunge-inflected chamber pop. "Souljacker" is harsher and denser, a little rougher around the edges. It is less melodic. Vocals are slightly tweaked amid a fuzz of guitars. It doesn't always hit the mark, but this being Eels it isn't a total disappointment. Love the hilarious tune about a dog faced boy whose mother refuses to shave him. And "That's not really funny" begins with the line, "Did You think I would laugh, when you said I was small?" I do not think it is his height that is being referred to here. "Souljacker" is not the Eels at their best, but each of their albums have been unique. They stumble a little here, but in my opinion, they do not fail to deliver the goods.

My heart is reeling..........2001-10-14

Yes, indeed, this is a massive departure from eels' brilliant "Daisies of the Galaxy," yet "Souljacker" is every bit the equal of that masterpiece, only harder and faster in feel.
But no matter how rockin' their music becomes, those amazing lyrics continue to shine through. Take "Fresh Feeling," for example, with the opening line, "You don't have a clue/What it is like/To be next to you." Or the brilliant couplet in the disc's opener, "Dog Faced Boy," where frontman E chants, "Ma won't shave me/Jesus can't save me."
"Souljacker" is exactly where rock music should be headed today. Raw, heartfelt, and powerful as hell.

New Sound For Eels!.......2001-10-09

This the latest album from Eels sees a major departure in sound from their last glorious album proper 'Daisies Of The Galaxy'.This album is far louder,rockier and far less melodic.The wonderfully strange lyrics still exist and each song tells great stories and is packed with interesting characters.One of the excellent parts to this album is the critique written on the inside by a close confidante of the group.It explains much of how the new sound of this album has evolved and it's an excellent touch.

The last album was quite a melancholic affair-many of the songs had a ballady feel to them and they were augmented by glorious string arrangements.This really doesn't happen much on this album except for the best song on the album "Fresh Feeling" and even then the string arrangement on this song is a sample taken from 'Selective Memory'-which of course features on Daisies...The song is quite incredible though and despite having hints of Beck,the rumbling drum machine,strong bass line and E's best vocals make this song one of the best Eel's songs I've heard.This one song though is not enough for me to cover up for this albums lack of melody.Maybe I'm being unfair as it's very difficult for them to match their last point of reference which was that magnificent last album.But as soon as you hear the first chords on this album you'll know what I mean.It's a very heavy rock sound-the shock is almost like listening to the R.E.M. sound when they came out with Monster.It's an agressive almost ugly sound,which maybe is in keeping with the songs lyrical content.This album though is the loudest yet from Eels.The second song has hints of that fuzzyguitar joining a very strong bassline an almost Latino brass section and a rhythm section of marvellous variety.The next few songs are the most familiar for Eels fans-the aforementioned Fresh Feeling and track 4 'Woman Driving ,Man Sleeping'.It's the sort of song that nobody does better then Eels.A simple riff on acousitc guitar-precious few effects but it's melody doesn't need any tampering with-as usual it's the songs strongest asset.

Souljacker the title track appears in two parts on this album.It's in my opinion a very good song.A sixties style bassline hooks in with E's singing-then the guitars kick in and the whole sound becomes very unfamiliar to anything I've heard from this group.It's best illustrated when E. roars "ROCK!"-cos that's what this song does.It's as heavy as anything you'd hear now a days.Lyrically the next few songs tell stories of friendly ghosts,teenage witches and an amazingly sad story of a boy in the song Jungle Telegraph.None of these songs are particularly laden with catchy hooks.Teenage Witch has a funky fuzzy bass and distorted vocals.Jungle Telegraph is another album highlight-the song drifts from one sound to the other as frequently as the story of this boy's lfe moves from one scene to another-maracas,crazy jungle rhythms,Beck like beatbox-various guitar effects-from fifties rockabilly to 21st century distortion and lots of synth interludes.It's a song that becomes as infectious as it's crazy rhythmic patterns.

The final three songs are the weakest on the album-track 10 is a very lowkey depressing slow song.Many of these songs tell stories of various really depressing childhoods-this song is no exception.It is a very quiet affair-with a few synth sounds that remind me of that White Town hit a few years ago.Just to be sure that we know Eels are heading in a new direction the last song is another sonic noise fest-but once again despite repeated listenings I just can't get into this.

So this is not my favourite Eels album-in fact it's my least favourite of the four.I seem to be alone in this opinion as almost every review I've read has been very positive.It is very interesting and they're not sitting back and being lazy about their sound-I just think it could do with a few more decent melodies.Still though an average album from Eels is usually well above anything your average band can produce-and in this Souljacker is no exception.

Average customer rating:
Souljacker
Eels
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
General | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000LYG7KM

Souljacker, Pt. 1
Average customer rating:

E writes the B-Sides!!!!!!!!

MORE AMAZING WORK FROM EELS

no daisies

Souljacker, Pt. 1
Eels
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
General | Rock | Styles | Music
Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00005OMAX
Release Date: 2001-11-20