Eels - Hombre Lobo

I’m feeling the return of the classic Eels reviewing problem, which is thinking I should be writing a different review for each track on the album. Diversity is a concept that comes easily to E (a.k.a. Mark Everett) and the boys, which makes a refreshing change even if it does sometimes catch you off guard.

Hombre Lobo holds true to form, with E’s trademark processed vocal sound tying together a selection of stylistically diverse tracks, from the distorted bluesy swagger of Prizefighter and Tremendous Dynamite to the traditional mellow tales of dysfunctional romance and unrequited love found in That Look You Gave That Guy and My Timing Is Off. There are a few curveballs too, like following the hopelessly catchy 50s rock n roll / pop-punk crossover of Lilac Breeze with The Longing, with its melancholy reflections on love gone wrong.

Tucked in among the above you’ll find some lovely little moments like the simplistic and heartfelt naivety of All The Beautiful Things, sounding like a lullaby written by They Might Be Giants, and the gentle descriptive storytelling of Ordinary Man. ’And I’m here on my own / I’d rather be alone / that try to be someone I am not’ sings E, a statement of honesty and openness that sums up why so many people take the band to heart.

Hombre Lobo is a fantastic album even by the Eels’ own standards, but that never guaranteed mainstream success in the past. However, it’s so varied and packed with wonderfully playful mood swings that once you’ve listened through a few times you’ll have fallen hopelessly for at least one of the tracks. The playful comment at the back of the booklet - ‘Other EELS CDs you may or may not enjoy’ – reassures you that this is how it’s meant to be, and..well, take it easy, and take only what you like. I’d recommend you try it.