Eels
Blinking Lights and Other Revelations
Available: April 26, 2005
Label: Vagrant Records
Rating: 5/5

Mark Oliver Everett is your typical gifted musician. Became interested in rock through his big sister’s record collection at a young age, started playing drums and piano at age six, was expelled from school and eventually taught himself how to play guitar. Since several of his friends were also named Mark, Everett started going by the letter “E,” and it stuck. That’s the point where typical was turned on its head.

By age 22, E had a large collection of songs written and mixed on an old, used four-track and decided it was time to head for L.A. His first solo album came out on Polydor Records in 1992, with a second in 1993. Joining up with bassist Tommy Walter and Butch Norton, E left Polydor and the Eels were born on the new DreamWorks label.

It was 1996 and “Beautiful Freak” was a success. With a Beck-ish vibe and a hit MTV/radio single, “Novocaine for the Soul,” earning them award nominations galore. But E’s musical inspiration and support passed away that year, as he buried both his sister and mother. Blah blah emotional turmoil, seven year album writing process, blah – enter Blinking Lights.

Spread over two discs, Eels have graced us with the best album of the year thus far. With a laid back vocalese that tucks you into bed before the nightmare begins, E and the boys have blessed their fans with a marriage of pure genius, up and down emotionally-laden tunes that tug at your heart strings, make you nod along agreeably or simply forget you’re listening to the album (in a good way, we swear).

“Hey Man, Now You’re Really Living” is the climax of the dual-disc set, about two-thirds of the way in –
“Do you know what it’s like to fall on the floor, And cry your guts out till you got no more, Hey man now you’re really living… Have you ever sat down in the fresh cut grass, And thought about the moment and when it will pass, Hey man now you’re really living.”

The 33 tracks everything from single-ready, 3-minute tracks like “Mother Mary” to pure ambient noise, album filler that does indeed serve a purpose like “Theme for a Pretty Girl That Makes You Believe God Exists.” Other tracks like “Old Shit/New Shit,” flaunt the Eels at their best – complex musical patterns and musical entrepreneurship that’s accessible to anyone.

More straightforward than Tom Petty and more meaningful than Luna, Eels have a refreshing approach to songwriting that’s unique in today’s in-your-face/will it sell? culture. Just like some people love songs they can memorize after hearing the first chorus, others like artists whose material needs courting like a new love. As you get to know it better, you discover new things about not just the songs, but yourself and your own life, too. It’s a give and take relationship, and I’m positive Blinking Lights will never forget to call the morning after.

Whether a longtime fan of Eels or just a fan of good music that actually means something, I think everyone will like at least part of “Blinking Lights.” If you like it all, well then now you’re really living.