Schadenfreude is usually considered to be an unpleasant characteristic but it's hard not to revel in the idea that the more downbeat Mark 'E' Everett's songs are, the more involving they become. Such was the case with 1998's 'Electro-Shock Blues'; an album inspired by family tragedy but given a sunny disposition by 'E's delivery. 'Blinking Lights And Other Revelations' follows roughly the same lines but broadened out to over ninety minutes of music. What initially seems like a chore to listen to turns out to be an uplifting, occasionally funny experience thanks to Everett's self-effacing lyrics, that familiar, heart-warming croak and frequent bursts of twinkling guitar and fairytale atmospherics. Excellent songs outnumber the average ones by some distance with lullabies ('Checkout Blues'), touching ballads ('If You See Natalie', 'Ugly Love') and skewed epics ('In The Yard, Behind The Church', 'Sweet L'il Thing') all present and correct. There are few who can draw out the feelgood factor from such apparently bleak material quite like Mr. Everett.