Daisies of the Galaxy

Daisies of the Galaxy is the third studio album by American rock band Eels. It was released on February 28, 2000, in the United Kingdom, and March 14 in the United States, by record label DreamWorks.

Production
When the band's label requested that a clean version of "It's a Motherfucker" be recorded, the song was re-written as "It's a Monster Trucker", with modified lyrics and sound clips of lead singer Mark Oliver "E" Everett speaking "trucker lingo" on a CB radio.

Release
Daisies of the Galaxy reached number eight in the UK Albums Chart. The single "Mr. E's Beautiful Blues" peaked at number 11 in the UK Singles Chart; the second single to be released from the album, "Flyswatter", charted at number 55.

Reception
Daisies of the Galaxy received a generally favorable response from critics.

Fred Kovey of PopMatters called it "a fine pop record in an era that seems uninterested in pop unless it’s marketed with dance steps and a quicky [sic] bio. Though not the equal of the best work of Stephen Merritt [sic] or Elliot Smith  [sic], Daisies of the Galaxy is worthy of attention by alterna-pop fans and anyone else desperate for catchy music for grown-ups."

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic wrote: "Unlike its predecessor, the album doesn't play like [E's] private diary; instead, it feels as if one is rummaging through his sketchbook. And, like many sketchbooks, some moments have blossomed, and others remain just intriguing, unformed ideas. For the dedicated, it's worth sifting through the album to find the keepers, since there are enough moments of quirky genius. But not all longtime fans will find this rewarding, since [E] has spent more time in creating mood than crafting songs. There are very few melodies that resonate like his best work, and the stripped-down, yet eccentric production – sounding much like a cross between Jon Brion and Beck – never feels realized."

In a retrospective review for Stylus Magazine, Ben Woolhead described Daisies of the Galaxy as "a very special collection of songs indeed".

Track listing
All songs written by E, except as indicated.
 * 1) "Grace Kelly Blues" – 3:38
 * 2) "Packing Blankets" – 2:07
 * 3) "The Sound of Fear" – 3:33
 * 4) "I Like Birds" – 2:35
 * 5) "Daisies of the Galaxy" – 3:27
 * 6) "Flyswatter" – 3:20
 * 7) "It's a Motherfucker" – 2:14
 * 8) "Estate Sale" (E and Peter Buck) – 1:36
 * 9) "Tiger in My Tank" – 3:07
 * 10) "A Daisy Through Concrete" – 2:26
 * 11) "Jeannie's Diary" – 3:37
 * 12) "Wooden Nickels" – 2:55
 * 13) "Something Is Sacred" – 2:52
 * 14) "Selective Memory" – 2:44
 * 15) "Mr. E's Beautiful Blues" (E and Michael Simpson) – 3:58 (hidden track)
 * Japanese bonus track
 * 1) "Birdgirl on a Cell Phone" – 3:09

Personnel
Eels


 * Butch – drums, backing vocals
 * E – vocals, guitar, electric bass, Wurlitzer organ, production, sleeve art direction, mixing

Additional musicians


 * David Alvarez – drums
 * Peter Buck – guitar
 * Wayne Bergeron – horn
 * Chris Bleth – horn
 * Andy Martin – horn
 * Grant-Lee Phillips – guitar

Technical


 * Wally Gagel – engineering, mixing
 * Jim Lang – engineering, horn and string arrangements, mixing
 * Bob Ludwig – mastering
 * Mickey Petralia – programming, engineering
 * Francesca Restrepo – sleeve design and art direction
 * Jeffrey Shannon – engineering
 * Michael Simpson – production, engineering, mixing
 * James Stone – engineering
 * Adrian Tomine – sleeve illustrations