It’s pretty bold to release a 25 track double CD as your first album, but singer-songwriter Benji Hughes doesn’t care. Themes of love and heartbreak run though the album and his folk-tinged pop draws comparisons to Beck, The Eels and The Magnetic Fields. [portrait by Vanessa Prager]

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I probably shouldn’t admit this, but I’ve never listened to The Eels before. Yup, blame it on all the other sweet stuff circling the globe right now. So how lucky am I then that The Eels have decided to release the aptly titled Meet The Eels, a compilation of their sweetest music from 1996 -2006. Fans and newcomers will be united in appreciation of Mark Everett’s tenacious honesty that rhythmically weaves its way through the highs and lows of an eventful if not melancholy life with wit, black tarred humour, quirky riffs and beats. The compilation features a mix of their greatest work, unreleased recordings, and a DVD containing the pick of the band’s music videos. [read also an interview with singer-songwriter Reed KD]