Dead of Winter

I woke up early this morning, around 4:15, and discovered that we had run out of heating oil. The temperature inside had dropped from 68F to 61. Right now it’s 45F. I’m waiting delivery of more oil, but in the meantime it’s in the low 20s outside, with fresh snow everywhere.

Somewhere between here and there, someone hundreds of miles away may or may not be dying. And not to put too fine a point on things, but all I could think of was listening to “Dead of Winter.” Really, could there be anything more apt at the moment?

That is why I like the Eels.

While You’re Waiting…

I just got off the phone with Merch Lackey. I preordered the End Times Deluxe Package back in early December, and though the album was released nearly two weeks ago (three if you consider the LP), I’m still waiting.

Well, it seems that the first batch of LPs and CDs Merch Lackey received wasn’t enough. So I, like four or five others I can think of, gotta wait a little longer still. Possibly next week, I was told.

Kinda frustrating. Reminds me of that episode of Seinfeld when Jerry made the car reservation.

Anyway, that’s that. In case you’re still waiting too, just hang in there. The digital download links are still available, or you can go to the store down the street and boggle at the surfeit of End Times CDs and wonder how to bridge that logical gap.

An Embarrasment of Riches

Back in 2005, E posted a Celebrity Playlist on iTunes. It was really great–the songs are phenomenally good and delightfully eclectic without trying too hard.

How Many People Does It Take to Record and Produce “End Times”?

Well, one, obviously. E recorded it alone in his basement. Poor heartbroken jilted misanthropic E. Everyone knows that.

Except the liner notes on the album tell quite a different story.

Beginner’s Guide to the Eels

The following is a brief overview of the Eels’ catalog, including a few albums that weren’t marketed as Eels but which obviously still are.

If you’re just finding out about E and his wonderful music, welcome. And enjoy.

E Under the Covers

With all the talk about the new album End Times, it’s also fun to look back a little. And if there is one thing that keeps coming back in the career of Mr. E, it’s his love for a good cover. Ever since his early days (Bad Dude in Love featured three covers) he’s been known to take songs from others and completely make them his own. Never actually releasing them on albums though. But back in 1992 E worked on a cover EP.

“Shimmering yet emotional ransacked…”

The Scotsman:
“Let’s hope he gets as much out of the experience as his listeners.”

“Unlike those whining emo kids…”

Daily Express:
“The first thing that strikes the listener about End Times, Eels’ eighth album, is the shabby warmth of the production.”

“[Too] often mired in its own self-pity…”

guardian.co.uk:
“Mark Everett and Eels’ second album in six months isn’t quite a work of staggering genius, but it’s heartbreaking all the same.”

“[He] sounds like a hollowed out husk…”

More End Times reviews are pouring in…