CONTEST / GIVEAWAY: 2 New Eels releases + signed 7"

On January 15, 2008, singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist, Mark Oliver Everett (aka E) and his revolving lineup of bandmates (known by many as Eels) are now set to unveil two new releases: a “best of” compilation - Meet The EELS: Essential EELS Vol. 1, 1996-2006 AND their first collection of rarities - EELS Useless Trinkets: B-Sides, Soundtracks, Rarities and Unreleased 1996-2006.

Spanning the first decade of EELS music, "Meet The EELS" offers 24 tracks that showcase the band’s evolution and growth of E as a songwriter, along with 12 videos. While "Useless Trinkets" is a must-have collection of 50 hard-to-find B-sides, film contributions and unreleased tracks, and a DVD of live performance footage from Lollapalooza 2006. All music has been digitally remastered and both releases are accompanied by notes from E and full-color booklets.

To celebrate the release of these TWO new Eels albums, ICTH will be giving away both albums PLUS a signed limited edition 7" (feat. two previously unreleased tracks: "Climbing To The Moon" (Jon Brion remix), and "I Want To Protect You"). All you need to do is email me at itcoversthe hillsides (at) gmail.com with your first and last name and EELS GIVEAWAY as the subject. That's it. Pretty easy.

Check out some tracks from both of these releases over at Eels' Myspace (link below).

Eels - website | Myspace

VIDEO: Les Savy Fav "What Would Wolves Do?"

This has been the worst winter ever...

I cannot believe I am sick AGAIN. I got some sort of flu-like monstrosity last week, and it is STILL raging a week later. This is not fun. I have been sick now three times this winter, a record for me. When I try to do things that require getting out of bed, or getting off the damn couch, I get dizzy and have to lie back down. That includes posting here unfortunately. Hopefully this will clear up soon, because lying around sleeping and watching mind-numbing TV is seriously taking it's toll.

I have been listening to some new tunes lately though, and a couple of things have really helped me through this last week of undying sickness: (1) the new Atlas Sound record "Let The Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel" is simply AMAZING(!!!). I cannot exclaim the virtues of album enough, it is simply one of the most beautiful albums I've ever heard. Period. (It comes out 2/19/08) (2) The new Beach House album, "Devotion" (out on 2/26/08) has been much better at relaxing me than hot herbal tea (and tea is my best friend right now!). I can't wait to see these guys live.

Until I'm better, posts will intermediate...unless I die, then they will stop. I'm rooting for the "getting better" option.