Eels Deliver Us Into 'End Times'
You can hear Eels loud and clear; the blues get better with 'End Times.'
Eels
End Times
Released on Jan 19, 2010
Mark Oliver Everett, son of Einstein's contemporary Hugh Everett III, has shown us a deeper fold of his insight into the human condition with each of his works. As the man named "E" he's attempted a broad range of ventures and each has been a solid effort. From his success recording for the Shrek franchise, to his original number one "Novocaine for the Soul," he has kept true to specific themes and tones. Not one to reinvent himself every album, but he does grapple different facets of his common themes through his works. While he does often sing of heartbreak, longing, mortality and desire; he managed to bring fresh stories to each theme. Only a few months on the heels of Hombre Lobo, there seems to be a continued story between the two albums. Hombre being an account of a hirsuite man and his passion for the local beauty; and End Times amounting to loss and mortality. Truly gripping material for any artist to deal with, it also can be done to death. Fortunately for us E work with Eels is anything but repetitive.
Most of us can recognize E's iconic "Novocaine For the Soul" or "My Beloved Monster" if we heard it. I wouldn't classify any of the Eels work as pop music. This is God's-honest rock & roll at it's most solid and human. Contained within the likes of "Gone Man" you have the more upbeat swinging rock & roll you might recognize from albums like Shootenanny! or Daisies of The Galaxy. E lends his lo-fi vocals and you are bobbing your head until you realize that this track moving you to dance is about fucking up and losing the love of your life. I've never heard another artist who really can pull this off without bumming you out completely. Subtle lyricism and excellent song-craft make End Times a gentle ride through a deeply introspective monologue; detailing his thoughts as he contemplates on the worth of life.
By no means should you feel reluctant to listen or purchase this record because of it's somber and stark content, it's still a joy to listen to. A rich story more human than the last album and as sad as it is uplifting and re-affirming. The Man Named E offers up one of the best album-as-a-story projects I've seen to date. Well... at least until he releases another one.
High Point
No song is the same, but all are written and created with care and love; it shows.
Low Point
Look too deep and E gazes also; this can be one sad album.
Posted by Ben Kessell on Jan 19, 2010 @ 10:00 am
