Eyeball of Hell

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