Shootenanny!

Performer: Eels
Artist: Lisa Germano; James King; Scott Gordon
Engineer: Greg Burns; Greg Collins; Ryan Boesch
Producer: Mark Oliver Everett
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Eels: Mark Oliver Everett. Additional personnel: Kool G Murder, Butch, Lisa Germano, Joe Gore, James King, Todd Simon, Scott Gordon. Personnel: Greg Collins , Joe Gore, Ryan Boesch (programming). Audio Mixers: Greg Collins ; Ryan Boesch. Recording information: Ocean Way Recording; OneHitsville, U.S.A. Photographer: Autumn DeWilde. Unknown Contributor Roles: James King ; Lisa Germano; Scott Gordon; Todd M. Simon. 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.

Rolling Stone (6/12/03, p.88) - 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..."

Singer/songwriter Mark Oliver Everett started out under the moniker A Man Called E, releasing two albums of dark, melodic pop in the early 1990s. After forming Eels and signing to a new label, Everett's work became even darker, and the production became more textural and sophisticated. Aside from a quirky, experimental 2003 effort under the name MC Honky, Everett has continued to refine his emotionally uncompromising, skillfully crafted vision with Eels, often to great critical acclaim if not stunning sales.

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