The Eels’ new album End Times is also experimenting with their sound. Their past album Daisies of the Galaxy was full of fun and happy songs with upbeat acoustic guitar riffs. End Times however is a bit darker.
Lead singer Mark Oliver Everett wrote many of the songs in their new album about his recent divorce. He sings in an even lower octave that his already low voice was though possible to go. The happy acoustic guitar known in past albums is now muffled and a bit eerie.
Despite the drastic change in sound End Times is an extremely good album.
The first track, ‘The Beginning’, tells a reminiscent story of start of Oliver’s relationship with his wife.
The second track, ‘Gone Man’, jumps to postdivorce life with lyrics that are almost satirical. “I pass the hours just to get by, talk to the dog so that I know I am alive,” Everett sings.
End Times is also an album that will take some getting used to if you are open to it.
3 and a half out of 4 stars; Labels: E Works, Vagrant; Release Date: January 19. 2010; 39:56; available on iTunes, Amazon, and where CD’s are sold
