Eels - Wonderful, Glorious

Drowned In Sound“Features E’s usual abundance of confessionals...” Not all of the tracks hit their mark, and this is a far cry from the standard of much of E's earlier material. But it is nonetheless a good record, an album from a man continuing to come to terms with his own life...

The Observer“Another solidly impressive outing...” The defiantly positive On the Ropes is as pretty as anything he's recorded, while the title track somehow conspires to sound like a slowed-down disco number...

allmusic“E's melancholic, beaten-down lyricism remains intact...” This new way of making music is working for him both artistically and personally, and though there's plenty of evidence that E is still out there suffering for his art, it seems that his days are a little less dark than usual...

The Arts Desk“Unashamedly retro but also distinctly offbeat...” The lyrics definitely have a gutsy, defiant optimism about them, albeit alongside Everett's usual misery: "watching the death of my hopes", he sings on the Johnny Cash-tinged, countrified sob story "On the Ropes"...

The Independent“These songs leave scars...” “True Original” and “You're My Friend”, are deceptively powerful, their simple statements of selfless devotion possessing the same kind of heart-swelling pleasure elicited by an old, old couple still obviously besotted with each other...

MusicOMH“Could easily have lost a couple of lesser songs...” The best is saved for last with the stirring gospel influences of the title track providing a deliriously euphoric ending. Everett sounds full-blooded and in love with life...

Clash Music“A gristly record of paid-and-fought-for happiness...” Everett has fought his well-documented trails and tribulations tooth and nail, and this gritty but ultimately joyous album stands as testament to that...

BBC“Not a recommended starting point for newcomers...” An album in which Eels followers will find much to enjoy. It continues the band’s long-running, idiosyncratic and distinctively creative career path...

The Line of Best Fit“There’s plenty of great music on show...” Even in the darkest moments, he tends to leave things on an optimistic note, but at the end of Wonderful, Glorious he’s unashamedly euphoric...

Guardian“No surprises here...” Everett executes his old tricks with electrifying verve, clashing tribal drums and the sludgy twang of B-movie guitar in Bombs Away, and hurling grit into the swamp of New Alphabet...