EELS is essentially one guy, Mark Everett, or ‘E’ as he likes to be known. E is nothing if not prolific, with Wonderful, Glorious being the US singersongwriter’s 10th studio album. But no matter how many records he has produced, it’s starting to feel like the record is getting stuck. The album is barely distinguishable from its predecessors – sombre lyrics tackling depression, death and mental illness, delivered with an acerbic bite over a mix of folk-tinged songs which are enlivened with snippets of electronica. The album is packed full of solid craftsmanship – New Alphabet offers some upbeat relief, Peach Blossom is fuzzy and grungey greatness, while On The Ropes tweaks the heartstrings. Maybe E truly believes ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’, but fans are going to be yearning for something more.
Jamie Grierson
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