The American Music Club’s songs hit the ear like an unpleasant truth-you flinch a little, but feel better for the experience. The band’s latest release finds lead singer/songwriter Mark Eitzel sticking to the bleak terrain that he’s chronicled for more than two decades
Videos by American Songwriter
Label: Merge
[Rating: 3.5 STARS]
The American Music Club’s songs hit the ear like an unpleasant truth-you flinch a little, but feel better for the experience. The band’s latest release finds lead singer/songwriter Mark Eitzel sticking to the bleak terrain that he’s chronicled for more than two decades. He is a truly gifted lyricist, with an eye for telling details and self-incriminating remarks. On this album, tracks like “Windows on the World,” “The Decibels and the Little Pills” and “The Dance” draw blood with their portraits of twisted lovers and social climbers. Melodically, Eitzel often stands on the verge of delivering a strong melody, but shrinks back into vagueness. The lounge sounds of “The Victory Choir” and the gliding pop of “One Step Ahead” cry out for greater definition. That said, “I Know That’s Not Really You” is a fine marriage of words and music, waltzing away as its lyrics cut deep. With those caveats, The Golden Age is worth sampling for its bracing bitterness.
