Extreme Witchcraft

by 
AlbumJan 28 / 202212 songs, 38m 32s95%
Indie Rock
Popular
24

F

Extreme Witchcraft, the band's 14th full-length, finds Mark Oliver Everett cutting loose but misplacing his knack for precision songcraft

Fuzzed-up garage rock and sonic throwbacks to 'Souljacker' abound on Eel's fourteenth studio album, but occasionally its spell-casting misses the mark

As freewheeling as Eels have sounded since ‘Souljacker’.

As the unquestioned leader of Eels, he doesn't hesitate to tell his listeners all about his neuroses, and some of his most celebrated albums (in particular 1998's Electro-Shock Blues and 2005's Blinking Lights and Other Revelations) are rooted in the contemplation of his sorrows and his reaction to life's failings.

After the slightly bitter and twisted lyrics in previous effort Earth to Dora, E turns the spotlight on himself for Eels’ fourtheenth album Extreme Witchcraft, achieving an inspirational collection of songs.

6.0 / 10

After 2020’s disappointing Earth to Dora, it’s good to hear EELS rockin’ again on their 14th studio album, Extreme Witchcraft. But instead of the quirky, offbeat craftiness and the energetic, often spooky, guitar riffs of earlier releases, this one’s more of a straight-up rocker.

7 / 10

The many incarnations and iterations of Eels have produced a galaxy of work, all spiralling around the central star – or should that be black

7.6 / 10

Eels 'Extreme Witchcraft Album Review by Greg Walker. The project's forthcoming release drops on January 21, via PIAS/E Works

60 %

Album Reviews: Eels - Extreme Witchcraft

All things considered, E’s a remarkably optimistic writer

7 / 10