Eels Time! by Eels
If you were wondering what “Eels Time!” might sound like, imagine sitting in a cozy, slightly dusty room filled with relics of yesteryear—nostalgic, a bit creaky, but somehow comfortable. Eels’ 15th studio album delivers the kind of reflective, indie-rock soul-searching you’d expect from a band whose frontman, Mark Oliver Everett (aka “E”), has been through more than a few existential wringers—recent open-heart surgery being the latest. The result? An album that meanders between optimism and melancholy but never quite hits the high notes of earlier works like Beautiful Freak or Electro-Shock Blues.
Eels have always been a quirky indie mainstay, and Eels Time! is no exception. As reflective as it is slow-burning, this album isn’t going to surprise longtime fans, but it might soothe them. Thematically, it’s rich in wistful meditations on time, mortality, and, yes, a goldfish named Goldy. It’s a bit like sitting with your granddad while he talks about his youthful escapades—touching and contemplative, if a tad heavy on the life lessons.
On the surface, the album plays it safe with a simple, stripped-down sound. Acoustic guitars strum gently through most tracks, with some charming but muted arrangements. You’ll hear the occasional mellotron, as in the wistful “Haunted Hero,” or a gentle jangle of bells in “Sweet Smile,” but overall, this isn’t an album that sonically experiments much. It’s more a vehicle for Everett’s introspective lyrics, which is both a strength and a limitation. The production quality is clean but lacks the grit and messiness that made albums like Souljacker stand out.
Here, Everett does what he does best—reflect on the passage of time, life’s losses, and the quirks of human existence. Tracks like “If I’m Gonna Go Anywhere” are prime examples of his bittersweet humor, with lyrics that paint Everett as a man learning to live with life’s chaos. “Goldy,” a song about Everett’s relationship with his pet goldfish (yes, really), brings a touch of offbeat charm, while “Let’s Be Lucky” tries to muster up some optimism, albeit in a slightly exhausted tone.
If you’ve got to cherry-pick, “Goldy” is worth your time for its catchy chorus and the weirdly touching ode to Everett’s goldfish, while “Haunted Hero” brings a ghostly melody that lingers long after it’s done. “Song for You Know Who” is another emotional high point, showcasing Everett’s ability to turn simplicity into something deeply affecting. However, there are a few songs—like the relatively sleepy “Lay with the Lambs”—that feel like they were left in first gear.
The album holds together thematically, but musically it plods along at a mid-tempo pace without much variation. By the time you hit the back half, you might be longing for a tempo shift or a bolder sound. It’s cohesive, sure, but cohesive in the way that a playlist of lullabies might be—comforting but not exactly invigorating.
Eels Time! feels like an album created by someone who has spent a lot of time reflecting on life’s ups and downs. For anyone who has ever felt like they’re staring down their own mortality while still trying to keep a sense of humor, this might resonate deeply. For others, it could come off as a bit too slow or introspective, like the musical equivalent of staring at the rain from inside a warm café—pleasant but a touch dreary.
Die-hard Eels fans will appreciate Eels Time! as another chapter in Everett’s introspective saga. Casual listeners, however, might find themselves wanting a bit more variety in tempo and tone. If you’re into indie rock that leans toward melancholic contemplation, this album will suit you just fine. But if you’re looking for a sonic shake-up, you’ll probably find it lacking.
Eels Time! is like your favorite comfy sweater—it’s warm and familiar, but after a while, it starts to feel a little threadbare. Fans of Everett’s world-weary musings will find plenty to enjoy, but it’s unlikely to convert any new listeners. In the end, it’s an album that’s more about staying the course than breaking new ground—and that’s both its charm and its flaw.
