I can't remember what my first contract for Even Odds was, but I do remember "The Oxenfurt Drunk" being the second one.
IMO some of the high(er) level contracts are more doable than the Shrieker when not using anything Even Odds forbids - and you can always deliberately overlevel contracts to have an easier time with them (if you're willing to forfeit the exp, of course).
Or you can just turn difficulty down... If you are not after difficulty trophies at that moment.