12 Songs Of Desire

Stripped down, raw indie rock and roll. “Hombre Lobo” is Spanish for “Wolf Man.” With a subtitle of 12 Songs of Desire, the record thematically is structured around unrequited love of both the physical and emotional kind. The album is divided in half. Tracks 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11 are swaggering, lusty, upbeat, raw, fuzzy pop rock songs, and tracks 2, 4, 6, 9, 10, 12 are slow, vulnerable, sad, loveless ballads. The upbeat pop rock songs sound like a bluesy M. Ward, except if you replaced the heavy reverb on the vocals with distortion and took out some finger picking flourishes. The sad songs are distinctly Eels. I’ve never been a big Eels fan, and while this may be no Electro-Shock Blues, I’ve really enjoyed this record. Just great pop (and I usually dislike pop). Recommended and will fit in on any show except perhaps Orangeasm. No FCCs.

1. Distorted, howling vocals, simplistic drums, straightforward throwback rock and roll, shakers. (2:53)
2. Mellower, slower, sad ballad; fluid guitar and softer vocals. (4:15)
3. Upbeat, kind of bluesy rock and roll. (2:36)
4. Minor key chords interspersed with airy, atmospheric, sad instrumentation. (3:22)
*5. Distortion turned way up, guitars sound great and thick, percussion stutters in second half of song. (2:46)
*6. Probably the best of the ballads. Lyrics are direct and affecting, and music is melancholy. (4:22)
7. Lead single, thumping percussion, howling vocals, circular chorus, rhythmic guitar crunches, synths, some guitar feedback layered in. Track has swagger. (4:25)
*8. Fuzzy, noisier pop rock song with aggressive guitar work, driving percussion and rhythm section, and 60s-esque backing vocals. (3:25)
9. Interesting counteracting melody; a slower one, but not really a ballad. (2:58)
*10. Very pretty guitar with gorgeous strings and glockenspiel. A sad little chamber pop track that would fit nicely on any Eels record. (2:22)
**11. Definitely my favorite track on the album. Doo-wop pop rock with a wonderful bass line and bobby, catchy choruses, rhythmic guitar chords, lovely bells, and backing vocals. (3:37)
12. More minimalist sad electric guitar opens, gets lush, dreamy, and heartbreaking. (3:15)