Apr 5, 2002 By "souljacker," Eels 2 min read

Mark Oliver Everett is pretty much recovered now – at least as recovered as he seems capable – and that’s not the best news for his fans. The leader of eels bottomed out brilliantly with 1998’s “Electro-Shock Blues,” a pitch-black dose of artistic therapy to help him cope with his sister’s suicide and his mother’s terminal cancer.

“Daisies of the Galaxy” (2000) was a step out of the abyss, and the new “Souljacker” finds him back in form as an acerbic humorist and experimental rockster – only more refined than 1996’s “Beautiful Freak.”

Although he might not be as commanding now as he was on “Electro-Shock Blues,” Everett doesn’t have to be in personal turmoil to be creative.

“Souljacker” is a freewheeling spin through a series of vignettes about misfits and castoffs (he just can’t shake this beautiful freak thing).

“Souljacker” is loaded with fascinating tracks. They don’t always hang together well and they don’t have the collective impact of “Electro-Shock Blues,” but at least listeners won’t be left feeling devastated.

Rating: 4

“‘Blade II” Soundtrack,” various acts

The soundtrack for “Blade II” is more of a concept album than it is a conventional soundtrack. This compilation may not relate to the plot of the vampire-movie sequel and it may not produce any obvious mainstream singles, but it stands alone as a vibrant venture in musical partnerships and should succeed regardless of how the film fares.

Both rap and electronic-beat music have been struggling in creative lulls, and although it’s been done before, pairing acts from each genre is an iffy proposition that could benefit only one side … or neither.

Spitfire rapper Eve gets a playful reconfiguration for “Cowboy” courtesy of Fatboy Slim’s playfully percolating rhythms, but no track is more commanding than the kinetic “Tao of the Machine” collaboration between The Roots and BT.

Gorillaz and Redman (“Gorillaz on My Mind”) and Busta Rhymes/Silkk the Shocker and Dub Pistols (“The One”) contribute some uninviting disappointments, but in general, music fans who enjoy both hip-hop and electronica are going to find this soundtrack rewarding.

Rating: 4

(Chuck Campbell is the entertainment editor at the News-Sentinel in Knoxville, Tenn.)

(Contact Chuck Campbell of The Knoxville News-Sentinel in Tennessee at http://www.knoxnews.com.)