The Eels (band) were formed in 1995 when already-established pop star E was joined by Tommy Walter and Butch Norton and they released Beautiful freak, an underrated album, known too well for "Novocaine for the soul", and not well enough for the other well-crafted songs on it (including the fantastic title track). The band reemerged with 1998's Electro-shock blues, dealing with E's feelings about mortality, specifically the suicide of a sibling and the death of his mother, from cancer. A third album, Daisies of the Galaxy is was released March 14, 2000. It's happier and more upbeat, supposedly. And, incidently, is the first album I know of with the first single as a bonus track!