Letterman and Eels!

Mark your calendars!  From the EELS Oficial Website:

6/15/2009- EELS ON LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN:
EELS will make their fourth appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman, CBS this Wednesday, June 17th, at 11:30pm Eastern/Pacific.

Wonder what they’ll present – Fresh Blood or Tremendous Dynamite might be too scary for Letterman.  I’m guessing its going to be That Look You Gave That Guy.  Altho’ it might be fun to see E howling on stage….

UPDATE:  Just saw Eels on Letterman –  In My Dreams was the song E chose to perform.  Is it me or did he have this kind of Joachim Phoenix look to him. 

Tickling gorillas

I went to the NPR website looking for the interview of Mark Everett that was broadcast on Weekend Edition this morning and found all sorts of interesting stories.  Here’s a sampling of what I found on my way to E’s interview.

Tickling Gorillas - Go to the link and listen to it if you can rather than just reading about it.  At least for me, the sound of a child laughing automatically brings a smile to my face.  The story goes on to explain the sounds primates make when tickled, the research into all primates (humans included) laughter response and the questions this response  provokes.  Plus, really, I just like the idea of going up to a huge gorilla and going tickle, tickle, tickle … go take a look – there’s video and sound if you’re equipped for it.

Stretching the brain - Again, read the article but listen as well.  You’ve got to keep all those synapses snapping people – the more new ones the better – i.e, get out of the routine and try something new (I’m really giving myself a pep talk here - I can sometimes just feel the brain cells oozing out of my ears from lack of use …)

El Hombre -  Here is a link to the NPR Weekend Edition radio interview of E that was broadcast this morning.  Its quite interesting particularly his comments about Electro Shock Blues and having do to what you think is right artistically.   Again, listen to it if you can rather than just reading about it.

I guess I really should pick up a copy of Everett’s book when I buy Hombre Lobo ….

I’m sure you can find other stories that might interest you.  Go poke around and see what you find – it’ll be good for your brain.

El Hombre Lobo…

I’ve read some rather snarky reviews about the new Eels CD “El Hombre Lobo” and some very glowing ones. My opinion is that Hombre Lobo accomplishes what it sets out to do – capturing the pain of the outsider – that little person in all of us that feels like it doesn’t quite belong.  Yes, there are some songs that are intentionally out and out creepy and some that are fuzzy and sad but you know it can’t all be flowers and sunshine and Donkey by your side now can it?  I enjoyed the album – go to the Eels Myspace page where you can listen to the whole album for yourself and form your own opinion.  EELS HOMBRE LOBO

Here’s one of my favorites from Hombre Lobo:

Jugaremos en el bosque

The Eels are releasing a new CD – “Hombre Lobo” in June and have released a song from that album “Fresh Blood” – click on the image below to go listen to it… Do it…. I’ll wait here and then we can discuss….go ahead.. I know it looks scary … go…..

(I found out about the release at  Rock Hard Times)

As a relatively new Eels fan and one whose going deaf to boot, I’m not sure whether my review of Fresh Blood carries or should carry any weight, but I’ll give my opinion anyway.  Much like many of the other reviewers of this song, on first listen I wasn’t jumping up and down with enthusiasm.  First of all I don’t jump with enthusiasm, ever, …well, hardly ever … and then frankly the theme and lyrics just scared me (but then I scare very easily).   I was drawn back for another go round — its got a good percussive  hook and it pulls you in with those synthesized howls.  On second and subsequent listenings, I realized how much I enjoyed it.  What first comes off as stalking and intimidating turns into a depiction of the human experience of needing, the putting on of bravado (howling) and in the end just asking for what you want.  The last lyrics, which even with my impaired hearing I can make out state:

Whatever trepidation you might feel
In your heart, you know its not real
In a moment of clarity,
Summon an act of charity

There is also something  in the song that reminds me of a childhood game I used to play “jugaremos en el bosque meintras el lobo no esta” (We will play in the forest while the wolf is away).   A group of kids sing the song as they dance in a circle and when they stop, they ask the “wolf” who is usually hiding behind a tree if he is ready and the wolf-player will say something like he is putting on his socks or combing his hair and this goes on until the “wolf” decides he is ready and runs out and tags whoever he can catch who then becomes the next “wolf.”   Its mock ferociousness but its a lot of fun.  I’m looking forward to all the new songs.