The Electric Eels

The Electric Eels somehow manage to create a cavernous sound that could only be described as the sonic equivalent of incurable depression ("Natural Situation"). Some called them the predecessors of punk rock, but really, all this album proves is that the band was banging out grinding, bass-less garage rock while the White Stripes were still in diapers ("Cold Meat"). Over minimalist ZZ Top-type swaggering that makes you want to slap on a fake beard and a pair of cheap sunglasses, the Electric Eels' lead singer, Dave McManus, is the only part of the band that comes alive. McManus' vocal style is probably the only element punk rock borrowed from this group. He manages to yelp like a pained Guy Picciotto of Fugazi during "Girl" and even manages to out-whine Jello Biafra on a cover of "Dead Man's Curve." Still, the music itself is not particularly original, only noisy. A good example of sheer chaos is "Jazz Is (Part 2)," where the listener gets an idea of what would have happened had free jazz saxophonist Ornette Coleman kicked Ozzy Osbourne out of Black Sabbath to take over frontman duties. However, just because the Electric Eels make a loud noise doesn't mean that this is a must-have for your record collection. ~ Stephen Howell, All Music Guide