For the last few days I have been listening to the new Eels album, Hombre Lobo, and I have to say I am really impressed! I must admit this is the first Eels album I’ve actually bought and listened to all the way through, but what I’m hearing has certainly inspired me to go back and listen to everything I haven’t heard.

Often referred to as “A Man Called E”, “Mr. E” or just “E”, Mark Oliver Everett is the talented man behind the music. The title, Hombre Lobo, translates to “wolfman”, which is no coincidence to Everett having a super long, rugged beard on the album cover. Describing how it inspired the mood of his new songs, Everett said “I was working on some other music and I looked in the mirror one morning and I saw this werewolf staring back at me. And I thought, ‘You know, this beard doesn’t really suit the music I’m working on currently. I should cut it off.’ And then, at the last minute, it occurred to me, ‘Well, why don’t I just make some music that suits the beard, and I’ll keep it.’ ” He later said that he would imagine the dog-faced boy from 2001’s Souljacker album to have grown up as a “dignified old werewolf”, and this is who he channels throughout these 12 songs of desire.

The lyrical content of this album is what has really kept me playing it over and over again. It is meant to be a character/concept album, as Everett takes on the mood of his beard to tell his stories; but it’s interesting to me how he goes from obnoxious lust and seduciton to serious and desperate emotion. The tracks’ order seem to trade off evenly between the two tones of songs; almost like a conversation between the real E and his werewolf. Perhaps it was just easier for him to be this raw and personal when speaking through an imaginary character? Nevertheless, each song feels real and honest, which is why I think this album will speak to people and be well received by critics.

I posted the edgier track, Tremendous Dynamite, and the softer, All the beautiful Things, below; but I really suggest buying the whole album. I’d bet on this one being around for a while!

Eels – Tremendous Dynamite

Eels – All the Beautiful Things