Mark Everett frontman of the Eels has been though a lot since the release of his outstanding 1998 album 'Electro-Shock Blues'.He's had to go the death of all his immediate family.His Sister's suicide,his Mother death from cancer.The same disease which had killed his father year's before Eel's 1997 debut 'Beautiful Freak'.
'Trouble with dreams is they don't come true,And when do they can catch up to you' Trouble With Dreams
This is Eel's sixth album and best in my opinon.Emotion and quirkyness go hand in hand.There's a real sense of beauty and charm though out the whole record (33 tracks all together).After avoiding the issue of his family for over 3 albums Daisies Of The Galaxy,Souljacker and Shootenanny.The Eel's mainman has created this created this double disc masterpiece recorded in his basement over the past 7 years.
''Middle of the night,But the signal come through,One day i'll be alright again'' Blinking Lights (For Me)
'Blinking Lights & Other Revelations' will sadden you yet uplift you.It has so many great moments.From the sleepy opener 'Theme From Blinking Lights' to the Electro-tinged first single 'Hey Man (Now Your Really Living)' everything fits so well.Thrid track 'Son Of A Bitch' is backed by a Orchestea to wonderful effects.
Disc 2 is more of the same but there's a lot more depth and personality to the songs.Second track 'Old ***/New ***' shines out with it's brilliant keyboard parts.'Sweet Lil' thing' is more of a Flaming Lips beats and synths influenced track and the rest of disc 2 is more brilliant gloom filled Alt Rock but it's the last track which really hits the target.'Things The Grandchildren Should Know' is a quirkey take of Johnny Cash's Hurt.It's about Everett's memorys of his father Hugh Everett III and has lyrics which'll bring a tear to your a eye if your not careful.''I don't leave the house much/I don't let been around people''.It may be simple but is still charming and honest.
I know that giving a album a 5 means it's a 'classic' and that this might not get on record players around the world and get the grammys in but i don't care.It's a brilliant album by a very underated talent.Yeah i can't imagine Cradle Of Filth fans listening to it but it's worth a listen anyone who enjoy their music a bit challenging should pick it up soon.It's more of a diary than a album but it's a beautiful uplifting yet heartbreaking diary at that.Enjoy
Download:
Hey Man (Now Your Really Living)
Things The Grandchildren Should Know
The Other Shoe
Losing Streak
Old ***/New ***
If You Like This,Try This:
Beck-
Guero (9/10)
The Flaming Lips-
Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robot (8/10)
Arcade Fire-
Funeral (9/10)
Website:
http://www.eelstheband.com/
Thanks For Reading Folks..