Significant longplayers from yesteryear
13 August 2026
Much-lauded Los Angeles-based band EELS fronted and orchestrated by
compelling singer-songwriter Mark Oliver Everett released their staggering
debut LP BEAUTIFUL FREAK today 30 years ago, on 13 August 1996.
It was the first album as Eels, but before, Everett
already produced 3 LPs under his own name
#5 in the UK / #114 in the US
Artwork: Everett had suggested having a little girl with big eyes on the cover.
The girl that came in to have her picture taken incidentally looked “like a miniature
Susan” to him, referring to his ex-girlfriend and the subject of the song ‘Susan’s House‘.
Q magazine wrote: “A complete musical vision, a genre-spanning
soundscape that reels you in with its myriad hooks.”
TUTV: This debut still stands out on Eels‘ catalog (15 LPs so far,
and #16 Cookie Happened, landing on October 16th).
Striking Singles.
– NOVOCAINE FOR THE SOUL –
– SUSAN’S HOUSE –
ALBUM