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

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  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, 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. TooA 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.… Expand
  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 from front to back you realize that everything is going to be ok.
  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 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 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.… Expand
  4. JeffF
    Oct 25, 2007
    9
    It's one of those that, after months of spinning, you realize how deeply rich and wonderful it is..if you've experienced loss as he has, it resonates that much more.
  5. William
    Jul 16, 2007
    5
    Although I tried, I wasn't able to enjoy this album as much as the other Eels albums I own (Beautiful Freak, Electroshock Blue, Daisies of the Galaxy). I feel that this album is bloated and disjointed; and a bit self-indulgent at times.
  6. RichardH
    May 4, 2007
    10
    This sprawling double album is fantastic. I haven't heard anything by the Eels since Novocaine, so my experience with E's writing style is horribly limited, but I was struck numb by the beauty and emotion that ooze from every second of this disk. Emo bands needs to take notes on how to 'emote' without sounding like a complete jackass. I loved this album so much that This sprawling double album is fantastic. I haven't heard anything by the Eels since Novocaine, so my experience with E's writing style is horribly limited, but I was struck numb by the beauty and emotion that ooze from every second of this disk. Emo bands needs to take notes on how to 'emote' without sounding like a complete jackass. I loved this album so much that Electro-Shock Blues is now on it's way from Amazon. Highly recommended.… Expand
  7. JohnF
    Jan 10, 2007
    10
    I think this alblum could be an underated classic, never have I heard a singer be so emotional with his lyrics with such wonderful music to match. E I salute you, I wish I could write as well as you do. Best I'm Gonna Stop Pretending That I didn't Break Your Heart
  8. JeffV
    Jun 9, 2006
    7
    Really good music, but poorly written lyrics. When I listen to this album, I listen to it for the music, and if I sing a long to it, I sing along because it's fun. Not because they are really good. I would recommend this to people who don't care about words as much as the actual music (people like me).
  9. buzz
    Jun 9, 2006
    10
    i've always like beautiful freak the best, but this one may surpass that on my personal scale...
  10. EdH
    May 13, 2006
    10
    This is one of the most amazing albums I have ever heard!!! The songs are put together very cleverly and, added to the personal experiences of E, (Mark Oliver Everet) explained in his previous abums, and the highly emotional lyrics, a masterpiece has been created.
  11. TimW
    May 1, 2006
    9
    Blinking Lights And Other Revelations is a leisurely stroll through a wonderful, mesmerising landscape. And yes, it is better than Electro-Shock Blues.
  12. NateE
    Apr 7, 2006
    9
    Call me crazy, but a good double album is probably one of my favorite things in music. I'll always take a bit of sprawl, some thematic interludes, and some genuine ambition over a more compact effort. And E makes everything interesting. I'm not sure I LIKE everything, but I don't think I have to. Far-reaching and evocative, it's an example of the best that modern music Call me crazy, but a good double album is probably one of my favorite things in music. I'll always take a bit of sprawl, some thematic interludes, and some genuine ambition over a more compact effort. And E makes everything interesting. I'm not sure I LIKE everything, but I don't think I have to. Far-reaching and evocative, it's an example of the best that modern music has to offer the soul.… Expand
  13. MarkP
    Feb 2, 2006
    10
    Always thought "electro-shock" blues was their masterpiece but have had to reconsider. Like all double albums it takes time to sink in but patience is rewarded. Like the best of Eels music their is an ugly beauty to the songs that is haunting. This is one perfectly paced double LP that doesn't require one of those "this would've made a great single LP" conversations.
  14. PeretzD
    Jan 11, 2006
    10
    what can i say? every note id mastered to perfection. E transfers emotions like no other. Best of 2005 by far.
  15. LarsG
    Jan 10, 2006
    9
    Beautiful melancolical songs.
  16. MartinF
    Dec 31, 2005
    10
    A beautifully crafted record, with songs that, in their own right, gives the heart a desperatly needed refill of emotions and helps it grow!
  17. Jonathan
    Dec 20, 2005
    4
    I've been a fan since "Electroshock Blues," but I feel pretty ashamed of it after listening to this album. This seems like a best of album in which all of the songs have been rewritten so that they are far more boring than the originals. If this actually is E's magnus opus, I'm afraid that they are finally revealing themselves as a less than mediocre band.
  18. JasperB
    Nov 13, 2005
    10
    Without question, BLINKING LIGHTS AND OTHER REVELATIONS is a masterpiece.
  19. RobustoG
    Oct 10, 2005
    10
    Impossible to pidgeon-hole beauty in every tune.
  20. DaveM
    Sep 25, 2005
    10
    I have never been a big eels fan but this in my mind is the best album of 2005. The last 2 songs are so incredible it makes it hard to listen to anything else, but the album as a whole is a masterpiece. Critics who say this is loaded with filler have no clue, every song stands on its own.
  21. MattS
    Sep 14, 2005
    10
    Damn! This is the best since Electro Shock - what a cracker! For me this is the album of the year so far.
  22. DavidM
    Aug 19, 2005
    8
    A sprawling collection of consistently good but almost never great songs. Those who like E's wimp-pop sound and emotional nakedness will adore it...those who don't will find little to convert them here. Disc 2 is far better than Disc 1.
  23. AlanL
    Aug 19, 2005
    9
    Fantastic! E is one of the few artists to have the ability to attempt such a vast concept, a whole life spanning an album. Wow, the guy is a genius. He can make the mundane seem beautiful.
  24. peterg
    Jul 14, 2005
    8
    Masterpice... Railroad Man one of the best songs this century.
  25. RobertG
    Jul 13, 2005
    6
    From all the rave reviews I was expecting a lot more. I tend to favor melancholy music bu thtis album doesn't do much for me. Gave it 6 or 7 spins and still very little has caught my attention. Underwhelming
  26. PaulH
    Jul 11, 2005
    6
    Overrated, but there is some good stuff here, some buried treasures. much better then the foo fighters double album, but that ain't no surprise.
  27. DaveV
    Jul 2, 2005
    7
    I consider myself a big Eels fan, having most of their/E's CDs, but I have to add my voice to those who were underwhelmed by Blinking Lights and feel it's way overrated. If you made one CD of the best tracks from this doublet, it would rank somewhere in the middle of all Eels CDs. Maybe below the middle.
  28. AntonyH
    Jun 29, 2005
    9
    This is his best album yet, it's the best cd I have bought in years and one I play from start to finish
  29. AndrewD
    Jun 14, 2005
    10
    Heartbreaking in the best meaning album! Can't stop listening to it.
  30. Gnarles
    Jun 13, 2005
    10
    I almost never give things a 10, but "Blinking Lights" is the kind of album that breaks rules like little twigs. Moving, witty, staggering, almost incomprehensibly ambitious, it's simply an astounding piece of work. Repeat listens are required, but it's worth the effort for the committed. Incredible, and a bracing remember of the power that pop music can hold.
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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]
  2. Q Magazine
    80
    A calmer work than its harrowing semi-classic prequel, Blinking Lights... is also less startling or focussed. [May 2005, p.109]
  3. Under The Radar
    90
    Some of the best-written songs of this new century. [#9]
See all critic reviews »