Album Review: Being Dead - EELS

Being Dead

EELS

***and1/2 out of *****

On their debut, 2023's When Horses Would Run, the Austin, TX based outfit Being Dead crafted oddball tunes that shifted between loveable and ominous. That combo continues on their sophomore follow up EELS.

The trio, consisting of Juli Keller, Cody Dosier and Nicole Roman-Johnston left their homebase of Austin and recorded with producer John Congleton in Los Angelse, kicking the band out of their safe space and challenging them a bit, with a slightly cleaner sound. Overall though this is more of the same, if you enjoyed their debut you will dig EELS. 

The album opens with the quirky DIY surf rock inspired "Godzilla Rises" which uses hand claps rumbling bass, and soaring vocals; like the majority of the groups tracks, there is a lot going on here.  One of the best the band has is "Nightvision" which starts delicate and then delivers a good groove and oddball sonic squiggles and detours along the way while never detracting too much from the overall tone and direction.   

Another highlight is the the warped 60's California pop in mangled Mamma's and Papa's style of "Problems" which uses flute, acoustic guitar to set the tone before deep ominous bass and chanting on top of each other overloads things as harpsichord comes in. That kitchen sink approach bangs into place for "Gazing at Footwear" which again starts small, then soars into nightmarish realms.  

The ADD style of the music can be a bit off putting at times. "Big Bovine" has an odd break mid song that throws the listener right out of whack while "Firefighters" is overdriven fuzzy punk rock that slams forward before the acoustic shift to the lone guitar and harmonized "Dragons II". Overall though the creativity shines through for Being Dead like on "Blanket of My Bone". The track is a full on whirlwind trip in just over three minutes, going from banging headache inducing to saccharine sweet with chimes, layers of 50's rock vocals and Phil Spector like touches. The band seems to really love mixing up that clean 50's pop sound with scuzzy touches, a winning combo. 

There are lots of tunes that shift and play with tones and expectations. Foraging unique, weird sounds and jostling the eardrums is a key part of Being Dead's vibe throughout the strong EELS as the Austin, TX based band keep their strange music flowing and cement their idiosyncratic style.  

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