The most striking impression thrown out by Eels' fifth album is the simplicity of its arrangements. Where once the group followed a left-of-centre, Beck-like template here they form songs in considerably less demanding production. At least three tracks are encased in bluesy-rock form ('All In A Day's Work', 'Saturday Morning' and 'Lone Wolf') whilst two are countrified ballads ('The Good Old Days' and 'Restraining Order Blues'). As previous fans of their music will relate to, the new no-frills approach leaves the listener wanting something more. Thankfully a quartet of gems emerge such as 'Love Of The Loveless' and 'Rock Hard Times' which rock gently but most pleasantly with the more complex, deeper material being 'Agony' and 'Numbered Days'; the last a return to the vulnerability of the cathartic 'Electro-Shock Blues' album. One could argue that 'Shootenanny!' is a sign of maturity for Mark 'E' Everett and co. but there's a certain spark missing on this showing.