Daisies of the Galaxy
This follow-up to 1998's grief-strickenElectro-Shock Bluesfinds head Eel E (that's all, just E) on steadier emotional footing, but don't expect cascading rays of sunshine to break through the clouds that cover this Southern California popmeister's world. The tone is set by the imagistic opener, "Grace Kelly Blues," which captures snapshots of misbegotten souls--a mime, a truck driver, a mall rat, the star-crossed movie star/princess who gives the song its name--before focusing in on E himself, who volunteers, "Me, I'm feeling pretty good now ... I think you know I'll be OK." From there, we're immersed in E's own version ofPleasantville, where gorgeous melodies and ornate arrangements adorn sad-sack sentiments. In the end,Daisesis the work of a gifted composer/producer/performer who is indeed feeling OK. Not great, mind you. But OK.--Steven Stolder