SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: EELS – EELS TIME!

EELS
EELS TIME!
E WORKS RECORDS/PIAS RECORDINGS

Since the 90s, EELS have been a pivotal band to alternative and indie rock. Despite not reaching quite the huge popularity and fame as some of their contemporaries, their influence is undeniable and can be seen throughout the 2000s rock scene. EELS TIME! is the latest record from the band, and it is another worthy addition to their discography.

EELS have two of the most underrated records from the 90s, with Beautiful Freak and Electro-Shock Blues. They were idiosyncratic, weird, quirky, catchy, and fun, and managed to be experimental and pop-friendly, which is not easy to pull off. EELS TIME! might not get as surreal as some of their older stuff (sometimes playing it a tad too safe), but it still has many fantastic tracks, some of which are worthy of being put alongside some of their greatest hits. “Goldy” demonstrates that Mark Oliver Everett still has what it takes to create fascinatingly interesting hooks and a memorable chorus. The track also is as quirky as they come and has the makings of becoming a favorite among fans of the band. “Time” is a charming and mellow acoustic soft rock number with some beautiful vocal work by Everett. “If I’m Gonna Go Anywhere” has some remarkable production, some of their best in recent memory, and a stunning chorus. Lastly, the delicate and cozy melody of “Sweet Smile” is a blessing to the ears. The sound is enchanting, comforting and has a lullaby-like vibe, similar to their beloved track “I Need Some Sleep”.

Although the instrumentation is not as good as their classic 90s and earlier 2000s albums, the lyrics are still impressive, with Everett’s poetic, contemplative, introspective, and riveting storytelling being on full display. Some notable highlights include “Song For You Know Who” and “Haunted Hero”.

EELS TIME! is not the best record from EELS, but any fan of the band will enjoy their latest record a lot.

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