The Eels: Blinking Lights and Other Revelations

Herald rating: * * * *

The man called E delivers a double dose of songs that are surprisingly uplifting

How dare Mark Oliver Everett (otherwise known as E from the Eels) subject us to a double album?

Much of his past work, in particular 1998's Electro-Shock Blues, has been tear-jerking stuff, so you'd suspect a double album would be too much to take. But this is a delightful record from the man who admits he probably spends too much time by himself making music. It is long, but at 90 minutes and 33 tracks it's not overly long and some songs are simple, short interludes.

The real charm of Blinking Lights is the contrast between those interludes, - Everett's reflective and quiet songs like the brittle beauty of A Magic World, and his more swingin' and poppy numbers like Hey Man (Now You're Really Living), or the wonky and catchy album highlight, Trouble With Dreams.

E seems much more content on this album. He shows his dark wit when gently describing his alcoholic dad as "lying on the floor with a smile under his red nose" but then his hound dog Bobby jnr makes you laugh with his howls on Last Time We Spoke.

While his troubled life is never far away, the album is so quaint in parts, and musically so noodly and tuneful, that you don't really care. Well, you care, he's a great chap, but you don't feel sad.

Label: Vagrant