Eels main-man E has a reputation for being a somewhat grumpy sod but Tomorrow Morning – the final instalment in a trilogy of albums that also includes Hombre Lobo and End Times – is possibly the most optimistic and upbeat entry into the Eels canon thus far. Title tracks such as ‘In Gratitude For This Magnificent Day’ and ‘This Is Where It Gets Good’ are indicative of the mood of the record, which finds E looking on the bright side, as Monty Python once advised.
Musically, the album is a pretty mellow affair, with none of the rip-roaring blues stompers of yore. Instead, what we’re presented with is a suite of laidback, at times almost ambient, pieces that slowly work their magic, as opposed to surging from the speakers. To vary the dynamic, E throws in a few upbeat electro numbers such as ‘Baby Loves Me’ but for the most part Tomorrow Morning is an exercise in tasteful understatement. Although the album may lack a bona fide classic Eels track like ‘Susan’s House’, ‘Your Lucky Day In Hell’ or ‘Souljacker Pt.1’, it nonetheless makes for very enjoyable listening. Nine albums in and Mr E still hasn’t produce a dud. More power to him.