Extreme Witchcraft ［2LP+CD］＜限定盤＞

To say Mark Oliver Everett is a moody guy is an act of understatement. As the unquestioned leader of Eels, he doesnt hesitate to tell his listeners all about his neuroses, and some of his most celebrated albums (in particular 1998s Electro-Shock Blues and 2005s Blinking Lights and Other Revelations) are rooted in the contemplation of his sorrows and his reaction to lifes failings. Hes learned to do this in a way thats entertaining and sometimes dazzling, but often its hard to tell if Everett is having any fun at all. 2022s Extreme Witchcraft is a standout in the Eels catalog in that Everett actually sounds like hes enjoying himself much of the time; hes still working out his demons, but his musical therapy agrees with him and he reveals an energy and spark that verges on playful. The opening number, "Amateur Hour," is a blast of scrappy rock & roll full of buzzy guitars and rhythms that you can shake to, and while not every song matches its energy, the straight-ahead rock of "Good Night on Earth," the lean R&B groove of "Steam Engine," the minimalist funk of "Grandfather Clock Strikes Twelve," and the folky simplicity of "Learning While I Lose" make this that rare Eels album you can play at a party without making your guests text their therapists. Even the less upbeat songs find a sliver of positivity deep down inside; the protagonist of "Strawberries and Popcorn" isnt so happy about being alone, but he honestly enjoys the small indulgences of the single life, and "I Know Youre Right" is sung from the perspective of a guy who realizes its a sign of growth to acknowledge you were the one who screwed up. The rough, spirited vibe of the performances also mesh effectively with Everetts less-dour-than-usual take on the world. Extreme Witchcraft isnt a big basket of musical sunshine, but its been a while since Eels have made an album with this sort of muddled joy, and its a welcome development from one of pops major misfits. ~ Mark Deming

LAのヴェテラン・バンドによる14枚目の新作。プロデュースを手掛けたのは、過去にコラボレーションの経験があり、PJ ハーヴェイの名作群を手掛けたことでも名高いジョン・パリッシュ。彼らしいソリッドで生々しいサウンドを活かした、バンドの勢いある演奏が十二分に味わえる素晴らしい仕上がりだ。Eのヴォーカルにも躍動感があり、いい演奏に乗せられて楽しく歌っているのが伝わってきますね。
bounce (C)赤瀧洋二