Wonderful, Glorious

Mark Oliver Everett (a.k.a. E) wrote and recorded Wonderful, Glorious with his touring band in his multi-floor studio The Compound, and the allegiance between the group and its leader is palpable. Over the years, the general public have ignored a string of smart, sonically rich Eels albums, despite the greatness of E's songs. Yet perennial-outsider status makes sense for man with his vision. Here, "Bombs Away" seethes with a testiness that makes the crunchy, fuzzy keyboards a valuable substitute for E having his finger on any other button. With a hard rock insanity, "Kinda Fuzzy" tumbles into the sweet spot that E perfected albums ago, where floors creak and are never level and mirrors turn funhouse-style. The drums pound beyond what's rational for "Peach Blossom." "On the Ropes" sounds like a calming letter from a dangerous man. "True Original" floats like a classic E ballad, complete with a gun. The deluxe edition features five bonus tracks from the sessions, four live concert recordings, and four radio performances, including a dark reading of The Lovin' Spoonful's "Summer in the City."