Blinking Lights And Other Revelations
by Eels
  • Record Label: Vagrant
  • Release Date: Apr 26, 2005
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Alternative Press
    100
    A devastatingly beautiful collection of songs, and in some circles, it could be the best album released this year. [May 2005, p.124]
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  2. Entertainment Weekly
    100
    Everett finally delivers the absolute stone masterpiece fans have always known lurked inside his dour heart. [29 Apr 2005, p.147]
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  3. Drowned In Sound
    100
    It's an absolute must-buy release.
  5. ShakingThrough.net
    92
    Blinking Lights is an astonishing mélange of life and sound cycles, as much about the ghosts of the past as it is an optimistic hedge toward a pensioner’s age bracket Everett clearly endeavors to appreciate.
  6. Stylus Magazine
    91
    Yes, this may well be the best of the Eels, his greatest achievement to date, because he reaches so far on nearly every track, and yet still finds something to grab on to.
  7. Under The Radar
    90
    Some of the best-written songs of this new century. [#9]
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  8. Uncut
    90
    Intermittently funny and never depressing, this confirms him among America's greats. [May 2005, p.108]
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  9. Playlouder
    90
    Dicing with folly at every stage and coming out victorious, 'Blinking Lights...' is sprawling, galling and downright enthralling.
  10. Mojo
    90
    A DIY epic whose brief sorties into often spellbinding instrumental territory are pitstops in which to muse upon profound, touching or witty lyrics. [May 2005, p.95]
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  11. PopMatters
    90
    E is one of the best songwriters America has to offer, and he has made as personal, poignant, and ultimately redeeming an album that you are ever going to hear.
  12. Lost At Sea
    90
    A masterpiece that celebrates life, in all of its horrific, painful, magical and wondrous glory.
  13. Los Angeles Times
    88
    Calling an Eels album personal and somber seems redundant, but compared with the guitar-rock discord of the two preceding albums, this return to meticulously crafted pop miniatures seems even more inward-directed. [24 Apr 2005]
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  14. Q Magazine
    80
    A calmer work than its harrowing semi-classic prequel, Blinking Lights... is also less startling or focussed. [May 2005, p.109]
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  15. The Guardian
    80
    The first disc of this double CD jangles nerves with pop songs which dissect personal issues through wider problems facing America, but the stunning second finds meaning to it all in a series of supernaturally beautiful ballads.
  16. The A.V. Club
    80
    Blinking Lights is a junk heap dotted with pretty flowers.
  17. Junkmedia
    80
    A bipolar rock opera for the ages.
  18. AllMusic
    80
    Blinking Lights and Other Revelations is blessed because of -- not in spite of -- its excesses.
  19. Prefix Magazine
    80
    An exquisitely produced magnum opus.
  20. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    A classic of sad pop. [23 Apr 2005, p.51]
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  21. Austin Chronicle
    78
    Everett's double-album masterpiece, a definitive catharsis.
  22. The New York Times
    70
    Although rhythm sections, strings, horns and overdubbed sha-la-la's do turn up, "Blinking Lights and Other Revelations" sounds most often like a man alone, coming to terms with himself and trying to muddle through. [2 May 2005]
    All this publication's reviews
  23. Rolling Stone
    70
    Everett demonstrates disarming wit, tear-stained awareness and heavenly loser love.
  24. Trouser Press
    70
    Two albums of E musings is a bit much, but, on the whole, Blinking Lights does stand as a resounding return to form.
  25. Pitchfork
    65
    There's a good album underneath all the filler-- probably the Eels' best since Electro-Shock Blues-- but it'll take some editing to excavate it.
  26. cokemachineglow
    64
    The harrowing track list of Electro-Shock just wears too thin here.

Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Best Album of 2005
40
#40 Most Discussed Album of 2005
70
#70 Most Shared Album of 2005

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 121 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 106 out of 121
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 121
  3. Negative: 6 out of 121
  1. Ricko
    Dec 12, 2011
    8
    A very ambitious record from Mr E. For the most part's it's very successful and some of it is up with his best. Like many double albums, IA very ambitious record from Mr E. For the most part's it's very successful and some of it is up with his best. Like many double albums, I think this could have been a 10 out of 10 16-18 track album. Some of the stuff on here we could do without. Not much mind you, but definitely some. But Mr E is an artist in every sense and it's not a surprise that he went for a 33 tracker here. Too many highlights to mention - I would highly recommend adding this record to your collection.… Full Review »
  2. BillyH
    Apr 28, 2008
    9
    An intelligent progression and evolution of a man called E this album shine new light on the eels perspective when you listen to the album An intelligent progression and evolution of a man called E this album shine new light on the eels perspective when you listen to the album from front to back you realize that everything is going to be ok.… Full Review »
  3. AndrewM
    Jan 17, 2008
    10
    This record could be one of the best I've ever listened to. It's much, much more melancholy than something like Souljacker. While This record could be one of the best I've ever listened to. It's much, much more melancholy than something like Souljacker. While the lyrics are possibly stronger than they have ever been, most tracks are enjoyable just listening to how it sounds. Given that E spent 7 years creating the material on this album, the album is obviously going to be long. Not "bloated". As for it being self-indulgent, E's music is more a form of personal therapy than material for platinum records. "Electro-Shock Blues", the last magnum opus, was in response to family tragedies. Not to sell a lot of albums. Recovery. For a large part, the people who can enjoy this album are the ones who can sit back and listen to the beauty of E emptying his head. And it's entirely worth it.… Full Review »
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