To be perfectly honest, if you’re not already a fan of the alternative rock band known as Eels, their latest release, End Times, will probably not be the album to win you over. First listeners will most likely make the mistake of labeling the work as “sad bastard music,” as the majority of the tracks consist of front man Mark Oliver Everett, a.k.a. “E,” playing alone on guitar while singing lyrics of uncertainty and divorce.

In truth, End Times proves that E is still as genuine and self aware as he’s ever been, explaining his depression without asking his audience to feel sorry for him. In fact, the musician is almost apologetic for his current state, singing lines like “I know it sounds kind of sad” in the album’s first single, “Little Bird,” and in the unflinchingly honest, “I Need a Mother,” he follows up the title line with, “I’m sorry but it’s true.” And while there are those who have criticized E for his simplistic language and rhyme schemes, the Eels have always been a shining example of the best of musical middlebrow. To force feed unnecessary poetry into the lyrics would only replace Everett’s blunt honesty with flowery pretense, thus severing any connection with the listener.

As far as the music is concerned, it’s unarguably moody, better reserved for when you’re having a bad day. So while you shouldn’t expect anything as catchy as their Daisies of the Galaxy hit, “Mr. E’s Beautiful Blues,” E mixes up the tone like he always does, providing breathing room with the fun rockabilly tune, “Gone Man,” and the upbeat “Paradise Blues.” But if you still find End Times not to your liking, I’m sure E and his band won’t be surprised. As he sings in the track titled, “Nowadays,” “The truth is something no one really wants to hear you say/just ‘how ya’ doing’ and ‘have a nice day.’”

(Vagrant Records, 2118 Wilshire Blvd. #361, Santa Monica, CA 90403)