Eels @ Academy

As stage entrances go, it’s one way to build anticipation. First, main Eels man E comes on with just his guitar to do a solo version of “Grace Kelly Blues”, then one by one and one song at a time they all emerge until the full band is assembled and raring to go.

Mostly doing tracks from the recent trilogy of albums all released in 2009-2010 ("Hombre Lobo", "End Times" and "Tomorrow Morning"), these bearded wonders are in fine form.

We have a subtle version of “In My Younger Days”, “Little Bird” and “Paradise Blues” from "End Times” as well as the electro blasts of “Fresh Blood” and the sweetly enchanting “The Look You Gave That Guy” from album "Hombre Lobo". Throughout the set mainman E dances like a whirlwind, shuffling his feet across the stage like a rock'n'roll tap dancing showman! Although they’ve had three recently released albums to promote, there’s a welcome return for old faves “Jungle Telegraph”  and “Dog Faced Boy”  from 2001’s “Souljacker”.

Then there’s the spectacular guitar riffage on “Souljacker Pt 1” with an extended breakdown bit in the middle consisting of the band stooping mid set-like statues, letting their guitars ring out to create a massive wall of noise before bringing that famous riff back in.

As if there isn’t enough material to cover from their nine albums, we’re also treated to a cracking cover version of The Lovin Spoonful’s “Summer In The City” along with radical re-working of famous Eels tunes “Mr E’s Beautiful Blues” re-delivered as the music from Beatles classic “Twist n Shout” with only the lyrics changed! Indie-rock, college-rock, underground, call it what you like, There’s a great sense of fun to this band, and after 15 years of music making, tonight only went further towards cementing their status as one of America’s finest bands.

Anitha Narayan