Blinking Lights and Other Revelations - 2023 US E Works Records Label 3LP Set Reissue

Blinking Lights and Other Revelations, is a set about "God and all the questions related to the subject of God," says its creator, E. A homemade epic, it's an imaginative, emotional reflection on the condition of living, recorded mostly in Everett's Los Angeles basement over a period of several years. Sprawling over its triple LPs remastered for vinyl are songs about faith, responsibility, growing up, dignity, disappointment, comfort, hope and renewal.Finally completed in 2004, Blinking Lights and Other Revelations rides a wide aural spectrum of sometimes disparate, ghostly sounds—from the saxophone sextet gospel of "Son Of A Bitch," to the surf-rock operatic wail of "Old Shit/New Shit." There's the apocalyptic fire and brimstone of "The Other Shoe," and then there's the Jackie Wilson-in-cyberspace existential celebration of "Hey Man (Now You're Really Living)." The album is full of unusual instrumentation and some notable guest stars. One song ("Last Time We Spoke") features Everett's hound dog, Bobby, Jr., howling a lonesome solo. A few songs later, Eels-fan-turned-collaborator Tom Waits cries a solo—literally—("Going Fetal"). Later, R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck (making his second appearance on an Eels album) plays dobro, guitar and bass (the Buck co-written "To Lick Your Boots"), and on an album that prominently features the autoharp on several songs, it's exciting to know that the king of rock and roll autoharp, The Lovin' Spoonful's John Sebastian, makes a rare appearance, playing autoharp on one track ("Dusk: A Peach In The Orchard," co-written by Sebastian).

Tracklisting:

Side 1.
1.  Theme From Blinking Lights   
2.  From Which I Came/A Magic World   
3.  Son Of A Bitch   
4.  Blinking Lights (For Me)   
5.  Trouble With Dreams   
6.  Marie Floating Over The Backyard   

Side 2.
1.  Suicide Life   
2.  In The Yard, Behind The Church   
3.  Railroad Man   
4.  The Other Shoe   
5.  Last Time We Spoke   

Side 3.
1.  Mother Mary   
2.  Going Fetal   
3.  Understanding Salesmen   
4.  Theme For A Pretty Girl That Makes You Believe God Exists   
5.  Checkout Blues   
6.  Blinking Lights (For You)   

Side 4.
1.  Dust Of Ages   
2.  Old Shit/New Shit   
3.  Bride Of Theme From Blinking Lights   
4.  Hey Man (Now You're Really Living)   
5.  I'm Going To Stop Pretending That I Didn't Break Your Heart   

Side 5.
1.  To Lick Your Boots   
2.  If You See Natalie   
3.  Sweet Li'l Thing   
4.  Dusk: A Peach In The Orchard   
5.  Whatever Happened To Soy Bomb   
6.  Ugly Love   

Side 6.
1.  God's Silence   
2.  Losing Streak   
3.  Last Days Of My Bitter Heart   
4.  The Stars Shine In The Sky Tonight   
5.  Things The Grandchildren Should Know