E-xcellent, E-special, E-xtraordinary, Eels are back in a big way
What an album. E, Mark Oliver Everett, a man whose life has dealt so many duff hands, never ceases to amaze with his music. This album is the sum of all the parts that make the Eels so triumphant and extraordinary. With a voice as sensual as his, E's sanded down tones caress the brain with a coarse/smooth lushness and the tunes reek of brilliant musicianship and meet the requirements of Perfect Noise to a tee. Awesome, awesome, awesome.
A tragic story his life may be, but to so many Eels maestro E gives inspiration and hope with his clear, audacious and special song writing. Undoubtedly making one of the finest and most respectable sounds to be coming out of America since the days of Dylan and Simon & Garfunkel… and 'Blinking Lights and Other Revelations' displays such a grasp of what makes a record great that you can't help but listen to the two discs over and over again.
The tracks span the spectrum of emotion, from racing happy clappy tunes to sweeping, lovely, melodic little songs and the opening theme is one of these, a classic Eels sound, picked guitar chords and E's luscious voice on top singing 'las' and 'de das'. The following songs maintain a standard of brilliant cohesive form and structure. 'From Which I Came/A Magic World' quite amply demonstrates the Eels' progression since 'Shootenanny' and is a mini corker.
'Blinking Lights…' is very personal and family-oriented album as the artwork for one thing shows. Pictures from the Everett family archive make up the bulk of photography in the extensive liner notes and also the colour-manipulated image on the front sleeve. 'Son of a Bitch' sees Mr. Everett discussing his mother and how he was "no son of a bitch." It's a sentimental number that comes across as very close to home…
'Trouble With Dreams' really brightens the whole affair up, coming in at number six. Replicating the feel of 'Flyswatter' with xylophone and a very present chirpy bumping bass line, the song's a wonderful slice of joy. 'Railroad Man' is a track deep-rooted in brilliant lyrical pondering and an incredible wavy tune. This is an album that deals with questions on a higher plain, tackling life and God and all that and really coming across as the Eels epic masterpiece of a career that's bared a lot of upset and wandering emotions for Mark Everett.
'The Other Shoe' follows with an unimaginable power that plunges the listener's head into overdrive, then later it's into the choking low organ motifs of 'Mother Mary', with it's rocking-out chorus and words that attack with full-pelt ferocity, stupendous. 'Going Fetal' too is great dance-around Eels, followed by a miniature gem called 'Understanding Salesmen', this one discussing his father with a tone in his voice that says as much as the words. There is cluster of truly brilliant songs in this area, mid-way through the album…
Disc two hits off with 'Dust of Ages', a soft wind and string instrument piece that feels like a cold winter street. Then 'Old Shit/New Shit' takes it all up another notch bringing the music back into the realm of fullness with that familiar operatic female voice taking up prime position as the centre motif of this especial song. First single 'Hey Man (Now You're Really Living)' comes in after 'Bride of Theme From Blinking Lights', it's a glorious bouncy jump and quite an adequate choice for the singles chart…
It's followed by 'I'm Going To Stop Pretending That I Didn't Break Your Heart', a sad, toned-down, quiet Animals-esque number that deals with thoughts and human emotion, it's a self-assessment that is very easy to connect with. 'To Lick Your Boots' which comes with the obvious addition of Peter Buck on guitar is fantabulous and a superb example of a great collaboration that benefited 'Daisies of the Galaxy' immensely. 'Sweet Li'l Thing' is for me the highlight of the album, the hit of the whole fruit, it's got a magic about it definitely.
'God's Silence' is a beauty that slows this opus down and begins to bring it to a close, a celestial lullaby. E's album, created with a talent rarely matched in today's music and a mind for orchestration that could rival Gershwin on a good day, is a masterpiece of musical ability, the 'Losing Streak' is done and this is a definite, undeniable winner. With the help of the likes of Tom Waits, Bobby Jr., Peter Buck and John Sebastian, well, I can't fault this. This record's going to frequent my stereo for many years to come.