Eels, an indie-rock band that's been maintaining a strong cult-following since the mid-90's, has released their 9th album and is still going strong.
Since their debut in 1995, Eels has been known for their unique sound and creating a niche in the indie-rock scene. The band was originally created by singer-songwriter Mark Oliver Everett, referred to as E, and 15 years later he continues to be the constant in the group, with other members rotating frequently in and out of studio. He's always bringing in new collaborators and ideas to keep things fresh and never boring. While you might have heard their distinctive voices in mainstream media like soundtracks for Knocked Up, Road Trip, Yes Man, and all three Shrek movies, they still manage to maintain their presence in the music realm.
Their most recent album, Tomorrow Morning, was released just two weeks ago (August 24th) and is the final compilation in the trilogy of records that started last year with Hombre Lobo and End Times. The fourteen-song album sticks to a somewhat melancholy vibe fans will find familiar for Eels, but has a more positive outlook on subjects of break-up recovery and fresh findings in new love. The pleasant introductory song, "In Gratitude For This Magnificent Day" besides the name, has a soft instrumental that will radiate feelings of warmth to set the tone for the rest of the album. Just by reading the song titles alone-- "Spectacular Girl", "This Is Where It Gets Good", "Oh So Lovely", "I Like The Way This Is Going"-- one can tell this is definitely more of an upswing mood for E that others can enjoy as well. There's balance throughout from the soft, heart-felt and raspy, whisper-like tracks such as "Spectacular Girl" to more upbeat tunes that remind me of something I'd hear on a Beck album. There's a bit of wit and sass thrown into the lyrics like in "Baby Loves Me", and the hand-clapping, foot-tapping "Looking Up".
Overall, this is a nice addition to what Eels has put out over the years. They have proved that their distinctive sound can have longevity in the music world, satisfying their fans and picking up more followers along the way who relate to the subdued tones and reflective lyrics. This is a great album to go into autumn with, making any love feel fresh and new to listeners as it is to E.
Check out some of the new tracks and tour dates here
By Chelsea Olson
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