Shootenanny!
by Eels
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22
  1. AllMusic
    80
    It's not as poppy as some of his other albums, but it is more focused and appealing, and one of the stronger testaments to his ornery talents.
  2. Amazon.com
    80
    By mixing sweet with sour, E's warm and fuzzy mope rock sounds great whether it's blasting out of a convertible on a sunny day or playing in the background on a rainy night.
  3. Austin Chronicle
    67
    Shootenanny! has all the soft harmonies and lush production of 2000's Daisies of the Galaxy, but while that masterpiece was an homage to symphonic pop, this one is rooted in Southern blues.
  5. Dot Music
    70
    A return to quieter, more familiar Eels territory.
  6. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    It offers the Eels' usual twisted take on California pop-rock, with more prominent blues voicings to complement the scrappy guitars and narcotized atmospherics. [6 Jun 2003, p.78]
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  7. Filter
    88
    On Shootenanny!, they take a solid first step toward crafting their opus a la Yankee Hotel Foxtrot or Soft Bulletin. [#6, p.81]
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  8. Junkmedia
    80
    The main funk base of E's sound remains consistent but is augmented with harder rock and blues elements, showing he is able to hold onto his signature sound while simultaneously twisting a piece of rose-colored glass into it.
  9. Launch.com
    70
    It's better than Souljacker, though not quite as good as Electro-Shock Blues and Daisies Of The Galaxy.
  10. Magnet
    80
    E shunts between naked self-examination and arch character studies. [#59, p.91]
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  11. Mojo
    70
    This is nihilistic pop at its finest. [Jun 2003, p.113]
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  12. PopMatters
    80
    Just another chapter of the Eels sound constantly in flux.
  13. Q Magazine
    80
    [Has] a sunnier, jangly guitar pop backdrop. [Jul 2003, p.102]
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  14. Rolling Stone
    80
    Lighter and more laid-back, with breezy melodies and fuzzy guitar-and-keyboard arrangements that sound built for a summer night's drive.
  15. ShakingThrough.net
    84
    Largely tosses out the loopy musical excursions and surrealistic pillow fights of past albums for a tighter, sparer approach.
  16. Splendid
    70
    While it's not Everett's most focused effort, musically speaking, Shootenanny! triumphs by projecting an uncharacteristically jovial mood.
  17. Stylus Magazine
    63
    It suffers from a lack of identity.
  18. Uncut
    80
    A 21st-century alienated soul album that slips the Eels back into your heart. [Jul 2003, p.120]
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. davidD
    Apr 29, 2007
    8
    Fuck you pitchfork. You guys reference electro shock blues but I know you would have given that album hell, too- if you were around.
  2. markr
    Jul 21, 2004
    9
    There is no 'filler' on this cd, despite what others say. Simply a brilliant piece of ART!
  3. nicoleb
    Sep 16, 2003
    8
    This is much better than his last cd, souljacker, yet I feel nothing will come close to "Daisies of the Galaxy". This cd is definately worth This is much better than his last cd, souljacker, yet I feel nothing will come close to "Daisies of the Galaxy". This cd is definately worth purchasing and putting on high rotation… Full Review »
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