Eels were never the most conventional of rock acts, but even so the sheer schizophrenia of their fourth outing comes as a bit of a shock. Inspired by singer E's recent sojourn at a Buddhist retreat, Souljacker is that rare thing, an album for disaffected teenagers that adults can listen to without embarrassment. Everything about it is frantic and confused, with bleak ballads suddenly turning into violent rockers and vice versa. The subjects of these songs are loners, losers and rejects - one particularly harrowing example concerns an accidental murderer describing his hideaway in the jungle. Once heard, it's difficult to forget - a bit like the rest of this downright strange, but undeniably powerful album.
