Eels when I'm thinking about it, and depending upon my frame of mind, might just be my favorite band. Although it's been close to a decade since they could rightfully be referred to as a band. For some time Eels are more of a loose confederation, a universe unto itself that revolves around singer/songwriter multi-instrumentalist Mark Everett (aka "E").

Though Eels have had a difficult time breaking out into any kind of widespread success, his track record is as solid as any band working today, including Beck - whom he can be closely compared to, as both men are essentially one men bands, who employ atavistic and kitschy instrumentation into hummable tunes that feature wicked lyrical acumen in the exploration of melancholia. That is when they're not writing amusing ditties that smack of novelty songs.

Since the official Eels debut Beautiful Freak, E. has pretty much worked a solo vein, occasionally inviting the likes of Jon Brion, Grant Lee Phillips, Peter Buck, John Parrish, Mike Simpson, T-Bone Burnett and Tom Waits to the party as guest musicians and co-writers. On this new double disc E's muse shows no signs of wavering, in fact I'd place Blinking Lights number two on my favorite list just behind Daisies of the Galaxy. The first disc features the sunnier side of the man, and though clearly the weaker of the two discs, is nonetheless clever and entertaining in the same fashion as Souljacker.

Disc Two is an unqualified masterpiece that is much more akin to Daisies of the Galaxy in tone and content, and despite it's decidedly dark bent, is perhaps his best work to date. Everett certainly does nothing in the way of breaking new ground on Blinking Lights, but this formula is certainly not broke and the last thing his die-hard fans would want is to see him attempt to fix it. True his spare, lo-fi approach to songwriting could fairly be regarded as same-ish - he tends to stick to familiar melodic structure and chord progressions, but he beats the wrap by weaving in his beautifully brutal lyrics that often spin tales of the world's losers and down and outers, in a way that ennobles them without a trace of sentimentality.

Everett also spends time with his deceased mother and sister in the songs of Blinking Lights - "If You See Natalie," is the centerpiece here - much like "It's a Motherfucker" was on Daisies. For my money the best track on this cycle of songs is the lost love lament "I'm Going To Stop Pretending That I Didn't Break Your Heart." When it comes to brutally honest introspection E knows few peers. If you're among the unenlightened this record is as good a place as any to discover this indie bard - anyone who considers themselves a fan of Beck or Sparklehorse, should pencil-in Blinking Lights at the top of their shopping list. It will no doubt be high on a lot of lists this year.