Sad bastard music done right

They say optimism and pessimism are defined by deciding whether a half filled glass of water is half full or half empty. It's probably safe to say that Eels frontman E would see it as half empty. In fact, E's worldview looks about as bleak as the results of Christina Aguilera's most recent VD test. Who really cares if the album is a little (and by a little, I mean very negative), E speaks to the cynic in all of us. There is something in his blatantly depressive material that we all can relate to. The songs make us want to laugh, cry, think or just jump headfirst into a pool of blood and feces. From the upbeat rock sounds of "Dirty Girl" to the quiet, serene moments on "Good Old Days," the album balances perfectly between fast and slow, serious and humorous and negative and positive (well, not so much positive). "Saturday Morning" is the standout, and an excellent choice for the single, it's a perfect pop rock song with witty lyrics and a super cool falsetto that demands repeated listens. E has perfected his mixture of dark themes with quirky lyrics, making Shootenanny! a perfect summertime blend of melodic little ditties.