Prolific, long-standing rockers EELS have released their fourteenth studio album Extreme Witchcraft as of January 28th. Four singles were put out prior to the record’s release; “Good Night on Earth, “Steam Engine”, “The Magic”, and “Amateur Hour”. The record can be found on all streaming services, and physical copies of the album can be found here.
The album sees EELS collaborating once again with English producer and guitarist John Parish, who originally worked with the group on their 2001 album Souljacker, a record defined by fuzzed out tones and bluesy riffs. From the release of the very first single from this new album, Parish’s presence and influence is absolutely felt, as we see a reintroduction of the heavy blues influence present on Souljacker. Parish has previously worked with Tracy Chapman, PJ Harvey and Aldous Harding.
EELS’ Mark Oliver Everett (aka E) said of Parrish in a press release: “John Parish is one of the most even-tempered, polite people I’ve ever met. A true gentleman. Actually, he’s probably THE most polite person I’ve ever met. But when he gets into the studio he becomes a mad scientist. If you make music with John Parish, you get stuff no one else does. He has a really unique toolbox and musical outlook. Perhaps his politeness is a coping mechanism to keep Mr. Hyde under control when he’s out of his laboratory.”
Whilst Parrish’s rock ‘n’ roll influence is definitely an ever-present force on the album, the group dials it back on certain tunes, such as the sombre, crawling tune “So Anyway”, which harkens back to the mood and feel of songs from early EELS records such as Electro Shock Blues and Beautiful Freak.
The track list for Extreme Witchcraft can be viewed below.
1). Amateur Hour
2). Good Night On Earth
3). Strawberries And Popcorn
4). Steam Engine
5). Grandfather Clock Strikes Twelve
6). Stumbling Bee
7). The Magic
8). Better Living Through Desperation
9). So Anyway
10). What It Isn’t
11). Learning While I Lose
12). I Know You’re Right
EELS will be embarking on a North American and UK/EU tour in Spring of this year. The UK leg of their tour will commence in Belfast, Ireland on the 11th of March. You can purchase tickets here, and the band’s UK dates can be viewed below.
11/03/2022- Telegraph Building- Belfast
12/03- Olympia Theatre- Dublin
14/03- Roundhouse- London
15/03- Albert Hall- Manchester
16/03- Barrowland- Glasgow
17/03- Rock City- Nottingham
18/03- O2 Guildhall- Southampton
