Track Listing
1. All in a Day's Work
2. Saturday Morning
3. Good Old Days, The
4. Love of the Loveless
5. Dirty Girl
6. Agony
7. Rock Hard Times
8. Restraining Order Blues
9. Lone Wolf
10. Wrong About Bobby
11. Numbered Days
12. Fashion Awards
13. Somebody Loves You
| Details | | Contributing Artists: | James King, Lisa Germano, Scott Gordon | | Producer: | Mark Oliver Everett | | Distributor: | Universal Distribution | | Recording Type: | Studio | | Recording Mode: | Stereo | | SPAR Code: | n/a |
Album Notes
Eels: Mark Oliver Everett.
Additional personnel: Kool G Murder, Butch, Lisa Germano, Joe Gore, James King, Todd Simon, Scott Gordon.
Mark Everett, the Eels mastermind commonly known simply as E, has been around the block enough to know how to distill his craft to its essence. That's just what he does on SHOOTENANNY, having previously released six Eels albums and two as A Man Called E. He's as unapologetically misery-laden as ever, of course, but we wouldn't have him any other way. Even when he makes a romantic entreaty, all he can ultimately offer to the object of his affection is the "Love of the Loveless."
What's most remarkable is the way he's pared things down production-wise. For an artist known as a wizard of popcraft in terms of both writing and arrangements, E keeps things surprisingly spare and simple throughout the album. The bulk of the songs, while retaining an undeniable pop sensibility, are musically straightforward pop-rock romps with little ornamentation and few quirky sonic touches. Uncomplicated guitar riffs and keyboard patterns power these directly emotive compositions. Did we mention that he was still miserable? E revels ironically in that emotion on the aptly titled "Agony," where he muses "maybe I need some psychiatric help" over a torturous 6/8 groove. SHOOTENANNY offers music and emotions pared to the bone, but it'll fill you up in due course.
Editorial Reviews
...SHOOTENANNY! is a seemingly effortless day-in-the-life account of...just about anyone....The Eels make everything sound easy...
CMJ (05/19/2003)
...[Features] strutting blues [and] orchestral bliss-pop...
Magnet (06/01/2003)
4 stars out of 5 - ...Even the apocalyptic LA of 'Rock Hard Times' has energy, part of a 21st century alienated soul album that slips the Eels back into your heart...
Uncut (06/01/2003)
...It offers the Eels' usual twisted take on California pop-rock, with more prominent blues voicings to complement the scrappy guitars and narcotized atmospherics...
Entertainment Weekly (06/06/2003)
4 out of 5 stars - ...Breezy melodies and fuzzy guitar-and-keyboard arrangements that sound built for a summer night's drive...
Rolling Stone (06/12/2003)
4 out of 5 stars - ...Breezy melodies and fuzzy guitar-and-keyboard arrangements that sound built for a summer night's drive...Entertainment Weekly (6/6/03, p.78) - ...It offers the Eels' usual twisted take on California pop-rock, with more prominent blues voicings to complement the scrappy guitars and narcotized atmospherics...Uncut (6/03, p.119) - 4 stars out of 5 - ...Even the apocalyptic LA of 'Rock Hard Times' has energy, part of a 21st century alienated soul album that slips the Eels back into your heart...Magnet (6-7/03, p.91) - ...[Features] strutting blues [and] orchestral bliss-pop...CMJ (5/19/03, p.8) - ...SHOOTENANNY! is a seemingly effortless day-in-the-life account of...just about anyone....The Eels make everything sound easy...
Rolling Stone (06/12/2003)
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