Predictable isn’t a word that would suit the Los Angeles based quartet Eels, because their albums and live shows during their almost 15 year existence are anything but. The 95 minute set at St. Andrew's Hall showcased many different tracks from across the band’s catalog, and pleased the crowd of over 700 during a warm evening at the Hall.

Lead by always enigmatic bassist/lead singer E (a.k.a. Mark Oliver Everett), the band focused on material from their latest album, Blinking Lights & Other Revelations, without ignoring older material. During the set, it looked like the band was playing different sets within the larger set: The first half of the show drove through the band’s more garage rock sounding material. Along with drummer Bobby Jr. and guitarist Big Al, the group spent most of the time keeping the more somber and slower tempo material pushed to the back. Such tracks as I’m A Loser and Sixteen Tons went over well with the audience, and kept the show moving quickly. The band moved into their jam based sound towards the end of their set, with tracks such as Old Shit, New Shit, which proved that the show could be and was completely all over the map.

While lead singer E was quiet on stage and keeping to the music, the bands multi-instrumentalist The Chet amazed most of the crowd, and may have puzzled newcomers to Eels shows. Attired in a black “Security” shirt, and bald head, The Chet served as the band’s hype man. He would provide the segues into the songs, while doing martial art moves in between playing the tambourine and even the guitar at one point.

With the band’s last gig on their North American tour, the Eels made sure that the Detroit crowd didn’t go away disappoint. Don’t worry though; the Eels will be back in the U.S. in August, starting with a slot at Chicago’s Lollapalooza festival.