Mark Everett finds solace among the wreckage of Trump’s self-styled "American Nightmare"
"The reconstruction shall begin only when there's nothing left," sings Mark Oliver Everett in his fragile and faltering voice on the opening track of The Deconstruction, Eels’ first album in four years. It’s hard not to share his fatalism but Everett finds solace among the wreckage of Trump’s self-styled "American Nightmare". As ever, the Californian artist who goes by a stark capital E manages to mix his state of the disunion address with hope and gallows humour. Compassion is the watchword and there’s plenty of love and laughs among the ruins. E’s canny mix of Disney-like theme tunes and gothic chamber pop is also present and correct. He channels his inner Tom Waits on Bone Dry and if it's a case of "kill or be killed" on Premonition, E is steadfastly hopeful as a choir of heavenly angels rush in and plaintive acoustic guitars hark back to simpler times. There is also glorious sunshine pop (hand claps and infectious guitar melodies) on Today is The Day, sixties fuzz guitar pop on You Are The Shining Light, and lush strings on Sweet Scorched Earth, a possibly ironic tale of post-apocalyptic love in the nuclear shelter. However, The Deconstruction lives up to its title in the second half with far too many whimsical half-formed songs. The vaguely psychedelic pop art album cover features a lit match sparking a conflagration. Everett just wants to burn it all down and start over again. Who can blame him?
Alan Corr @corralan
