Categories : Folk + Roots, Music Reviews, Rock + Pop.
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Rating: 4 / 5 Reviewer: Greg Hutton |
Mark Oliver Everett, front man and principle songwriter of the Eels, has never shied away from directly addressing his numerous personal tragedies via his art. His discography and autobiography are full of ruminations on his various losses as well as explorations of the subsequent confusion he feels in a world where he is increasingly alone. Rather than use metaphor or veiled storytelling devices to maintain a barrier between himself as a private person and as an artist, Everett has always tended towards candid, personal songwriting as an outlet. End Times, the Eels 8th studio album, continues this unfiltered approach to artistic expression, this time finding Everett addressing his recent divorce.
From the outset of the record it is clear that something is not quite right in Everett’s world. ‘The Beginning’ finds Everett recounting in a low drawl an unremarkable evening out with his love as well as the subsequent morning. By the end of the song it becomes apparent that these memories and fleeting moments are imbued with poignancy directly attributable to loss. This theme bookends the album, when in the closing ‘On My Feet’ Everett sings “So many thousands of days in my life / But I don’t remember them / But a small handful of days that I do / Holding you to my heart.” These suddenly memorable days haunt Everett on this record.
Throughout the album, Everett recounts both depression and anger regarding his situation. Standout track ‘In My Younger Days’ suggests that loss is not getting any easier for Everett, and instead he is no longer able to chalk up disappointment to his “ongoing education.” Furthermore, anger comes through in lines including “I’m not yet resigned to fate / And I’m not going to be ruled by hate / But it’s strong / And it’s filling up my days.” Once again, Everett refuses self-censorship in favour of catharsis, even though on ‘Nowadays’ he recognizes that “Things I say / Seem to get me in / The trouble that I’ve been through / For too many days.” Perhaps Everett does not attribute the things he sings on songs like ‘Younger Days’ and others including ‘Unhinged’ to his troubles, but this seems unlikely. Instead, Everett demonstrates his refusal to pull his punches in his songs.
As a whole, the album is focused on what Everett has to say, occasionally at the expense of the underlying music. ‘Little Bird’ is a great song, but musically it is more than a little reminiscent of previous Eels’ songs (notably, the variations of ‘Blinking Lights’ that appeared on the album Blinking Lights and Other Revelations). This may not be a deal-breaker for new Eels’ listeners, but long-time fans may find some songs naggingly familiar, even if the lyrical approach is relatively unique.
End Times is full of the reflection and honesty that characterize Everett’s best output. It explores multiple perspectives on a single theme, all the while avoiding self-indulgent whining and manages to flow well as an album despite the repetition of several common sentiments. The pain of divorce permeates much musical expression, usually written by the children of divorce. Here, Everett allows insights into what it means to be involved in such a personal catastrophe.
