It’s OK to be sad. That’s the picture that E., the lead singer of The Eels, has painted on the band’s fourth album, “Souljacker.”

For years, The Eels have released deep and meaningful songs under the mainstream radar. Listener’s first memory of the band may come from their early ’90s hit, “Novacain for the Soul.”

Somebody just snapped their fingers and said, “That’s them, now I remember.”

If you can’t snap your fingers to that then maybe you remember them from their soundtrack appearances in the films “Road Trip” and “Shrek.” After all the finger snapping you can throw those images of the band right out the window-, because on “Souljacker” The Eels deliver their heaviest tracks to date laced with misery, angst and heartbreak.

The canvas for this painting of pain is noise. Thick layers of distortion and crunchy guitar riffs are the scenery behind which E. paints his stories of loss. For fans of The Eels, “Souljacker” is the light at the end of the dark tunnel that the previous Eels albums took you down.

In 1998, “Electro-shock Blues” delved into the mind of E. as he dealt with the death of his sister. The CD pulled no punches in the whirlwind of feelings that he went through.

On the 2000’s “Daisies of the Galaxy,” E. addressed the loss of his mother to cancer.

From these dark backgrounds came an image of true honesty. The honesty of this new album comes through on tracks like “World of Sh*t” and “Souljacker 1.” Through all of these dim paintings of bitterly honest images shines a bright light of optimism. E. is a true master at discovering the silver linings in his dark clouds. Songs like “Fresh Feeling” exude positive energy in the midst of confusion. “Words/ Can’t be that strong/ My heart is reeling/ This is that fresh/ That fresh feeling.”

As far as the instruments that are used in the painting, The Eels are all over the map. “Man Sleeping Woman Driving” has a folky angle to it while “What’s This Note” is ear-popping distortion. “Dog Faced Boy” would fit right in on the “Goin’ South” compilation album.

E. finds his common sound niche in the acoustic guitar and the piano. He takes his time on “World of Sh*t” and allows the listener to be sucked in. “I will make a pledge/ To get down off the ledge.”

Long-time-listeners will find this album a fitting end to E.’s dark trilogy. A final wink to let listeners know that he’ll be all right.

The new album also includes a bonus disc of four tracks including the gem “I Write B-sides.”

With more than 16 tracks, listeners must take into consideration that there will be some abrasive songs. But with a few listens, the hits grow like weeds. The Eels painted some of the most desolate and torn portraits in its history. But its members also remember to add the most beautifully optimistic sun to every portrait.