Philosophising about life comes naturally to Eels’ Mark Oliver Everett. On his 16th studio album, Cookie Happened, the starting point comes from an unlikely source: Cookie Monster and the words, “Me no cry because cookie is finished. Me smile because cookie happened.”
That mixture of sadness, acceptance and humour runs through much of the record.
Opener “Clobbered” sounds surprisingly bright and rejuvenated, all jangling guitars and catchy 60s-style pop, despite being about someone who has reached rock bottom. Rather than wallow in it, Everett finds liberation in surrender: there is nothing left to lose, so the only way is forward.
That idea returns on “Congratulations To Me”. Opening with a solemn feel…

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