What does it sound like?:
Firstly let me declare my love of Eels and every album they have done and every one of their live gigs I have seen – about 8 in case you are asking. So in view of this and in the interests of balance i will attempt to show a tad of impartiality. The last two albums Earth to Dora and The Deconstruction failed to match the highs of Daisies of the Galaxy, Souljacker and Blinking Lights for example. I regard E as the master of the melody and those two albums though decent seemed to miss some memorable tunes.
Thankfully the new album Extreme Witchcraft appears to have returned to his previous highs with tunes aplenty and a more muscular musical background thanks I guess to John Parish who has teamed up with him again for the first time since Souljacker with co-writes of several of the songs here.
The sound is unmistakable and the good thing about an Eels record is you can hear every word sung. An early favourite is Strawberries and Popcorn which whimsically sets out what he likes about his recent new found single status, He can eat Strawberries and Popcorn for dinner or leave his muddy boots on the floor without someone nagging him. Thinking about it maybe that is why the last two albums fell short of his normal high standards – he was newly wed and perhaps he didn’t need that stifling his muse? Grandfather clock strikes twelve is a really great song – channelling his love of Prince it is a high water mark on this album. The last track I know you’re right is a fitting finale and will be a great end to his upcoming gigs. I have a ticket to see him in Dublin and to be honest can’t wait. A fine start to 2022.
What does it all *mean*?
One of my favourite artists is back with a quality record.
Goes well with…
Earlier Eels albums
Release Date:
January 2022
Might suit people who like…
Well Eels obviously but Ron Sexsmith, The Shins, Fountains of Wayne – hard to compare – I dont think comparisons are needed to be quite frank as he is quite unique and amen to that.
Lovely review. I’ve lost track with Eels. You’ve made me want to catch up with them again.
Had this on in the car non-stop the last few days. Didn’k much of it on first play, but it’s really grown on me.
Only found out the were on in Dublin (at the Olympia – a perfect venue for them) a couple of days ago. If TX are still available, I’ll get one tomorrow am.
Happy to meet up for a pre-gig gargle if you’ve not got other arrangements, S.
Up for that @Jaygee – I will be with my son who will be flying in from Reykjavik. Let me know if you get a ticket.
Will do. Do you live in Ireland, S?
If you do, there’s a fair chance we’ll be going to some of the
same shows now restrictions have eased and gigs are back up
and running again.
No I live in UK and my son has lived in Iceland for 2 years. I introduced him to Eels several years ago. We have seen them several times together including a road trip we did to Rotterdam. Unusually they were not playing Brum on this tour so I decided to make a weekend of it.
I like him when he was “E”. Broken Toyshop, A Man Called E.
I don’t have either of those albums although they appear on his discography.
I do have a soundtrack album he did for a film called Levity which is not showing in his discography.
If you want them, PM me. They’re excellent.
Extreme Witchcraft was my ‘album of choice’ last week (ie. the one I chose to live with for a few days and give repeated listens to). To be honest, I wasn’t greatly impressed, but I did enjoy ‘Good Day on Earth’ and ‘So Anyway’. 3 out of 5 from me.
It’s OK, but no Daisies of the Galaxy.
I agree but much better than The Deconstruction and The End Times.
The Mojo/Uncut review refers to E as a “post-grunge Randy Newman”. I dun a LOL.
I don’t see that – Randy Newman chronicles other peoples lives, E mainly chronicles his own life.
I am giving it a go. He has had a few highspots over the years.
Anyone else apart from SteveT and me planning seeing Eels on their imminent tour?
Ticketmaster just emailed to say it’s postponed til March 2023