EELS: Blinking Lights Vinyl Box Set, New Memoir, Free EP

We here at HAD tend to love all things EELS: There's something about the combination of Mark Oliver Everett's cantankerous attitude combined with sweet, sweet melody that gets us every time. That being what it is, we were pretty psyched to see a deluge of EELS activity, which until recently had been confined to January's greatest hits release.

First up, the band is releasing a vinyl box set of the 2005 release Blinking Lights And Other Revelations. The lengthy release requires 3 slabs of 180g vinyl, and they're throwing in a bonus live disc from a 2005 Manchester show. If you're counting, that's 4 vinyl platters. Now here's the rub: the release costs $205. Yes, you heard that correctly. Call us cynical, but paying over $200 for 4 slabs of vinyl (typical price...$50?) one of which is a live release for a tour that already has a live CD? Is the validation that there's a hardcover book along for the ride? Would that be a $155 book? Oh no, wait, we see: it's limited to 2500 copies, and autographed. Right. We love vinyl, and special packaging, and all the rest, but really??? Pardon us for being a tad skeptical.

Thankfully, for those without infinite record buying budgets, the band also has some more affordable retail offerings. For one, there's a free giveaway of four of the Manchester tracks. For another, Everett has released a memoir of his childhood entitled Things The Grandchildren Should Know. There's even an audio version read by the Chet! Last but not least, the EELS store has an exclusive CD/DVD of a 2006 London show. All of this is so lovely and consumable, you'll find yourself forgetting about that $205 box set in no time.

While you're at it, enjoy the Jon Brion remix of "Climbing To The Moon" below - we just discovered it, and well: awesome.