Daisies of the Galaxy explained

Daisies of the Galaxy
Type:studio
Artist:Eels
Cover:Eels-Daisies Of The Galaxy.JPG
Recorded:1999
Length:44:18
Label:DreamWorks
Producer:E
Prev Title:Electro-Shock Blues
Prev Year:1998
Next Title:Souljacker
Next Year:2001

Daisies of the Galaxy is the third studio album by American rock band Eels. It was released on February 28, 2000, in the United Kingdom, and March 14 in the United States, by record label DreamWorks.

Production

When the band's label requested that a clean version of "It's a Motherfucker" be recorded, the song was re-written as "It's a Monster Trucker", with modified lyrics and sound clips of lead singer Mark Oliver "E" Everett speaking "trucker lingo" on a CB radio.[1]

Release

Daisies of the Galaxy reached number eight in the UK Albums Chart.[2] The single "Mr. E's Beautiful Blues" peaked at number 11 in the UK Singles Chart;[3] the second single to be released from the album, "Flyswatter", charted at number 55.

Reception

Daisies of the Galaxy received a generally favorable response from critics.

Fred Kovey of PopMatters called it "a fine pop record in an era that seems uninterested in pop unless it’s marketed with dance steps and a quicky bio. Though not the equal of the best work of Stephen Merritt or Elliot Smith, Daisies of the Galaxy is worthy of attention by alterna-pop fans and anyone else desperate for catchy music for grown-ups."[4]

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic wrote: "Unlike its predecessor, the album doesn't play like [E's] private diary; instead, it feels as if one is rummaging through his sketchbook. And, like many sketchbooks, some moments have blossomed, and others remain just intriguing, unformed ideas. For the dedicated, it's worth sifting through the album to find the keepers, since there are enough moments of quirky genius. But not all longtime fans will find this rewarding, since [E] has spent more time in creating mood than crafting songs. There are very few melodies that resonate like his best work, and the stripped-down, yet eccentric production – sounding much like a cross between Jon Brion and Beck – never feels realized."

In a retrospective review for Stylus Magazine, Ben Woolhead described Daisies of the Galaxy as "a very special collection of songs indeed".[5]

Track listing

All songs written by E, except as indicated.

  1. "Grace Kelly Blues" – 3:38
  2. "Packing Blankets" – 2:07
  3. "The Sound of Fear" – 3:33
  4. "I Like Birds" – 2:35
  5. "Daisies of the Galaxy" – 3:27
  6. "Flyswatter" – 3:20
  7. "It's a Motherfucker"[6]  – 2:14
  8. "Estate Sale" (E and Peter Buck) – 1:36
  9. "Tiger in My Tank" – 3:07
  10. "A Daisy Through Concrete" – 2:26
  11. "Jeannie's Diary" – 3:37
  12. "Wooden Nickels" – 2:55
  13. "Something Is Sacred" – 2:52
  14. "Selective Memory" – 2:44
  15. "Mr. E's Beautiful Blues" (E and Michael Simpson) – 3:58 (hidden track)
Japanese bonus track
  1. "Birdgirl on a Cell Phone" – 3:09

Personnel

Eels

Additional musicians

Technical

Notes and References

  1. Q&A: E of the Eels . . May 25, 2000 . March 18, 2017 . Healy . Mark.
  2. Web site: Official Charts: Eels. 15 February 1997 . . April 28, 2022.
  3. Web site: Eels: Mr. E's Beautiful Blues. . April 28, 2022.
  4. Web site: Eels: Daisies of the Galaxy . . March 13, 2000 . June 5, 2013 . Kovey . Fred . https://web.archive.org/web/20160730080610/http://www.popmatters.com/review/eels-daisies/ . July 30, 2016 . dead.
  5. Web site: Eels – Daisies Of The Galaxy . . July 18, 2003 . June 5, 2013 . Woolhead . Ben . https://web.archive.org/web/20030806105230/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/musicreviews/eels-daisies_of_the_galaxy.shtml . August 6, 2003 . dead.
  6. An edited version of the album was also released on the American market with "It's a Motherfucker" replaced by "It's a Monster Trucker".