If you're in and around Dublin City on Saturday night then you may want to take yourself to Whelans, which will be playing host to American Music Club. The San Francisco based outfit, fronted by the influencial singer-songwriter Mark Eitzel, have just released a new album called 'The Golden Age', which is the follow-up to their stunning comeback album in 2004, 'Love Songs For Patriots'.
Prior to 'Love Songs...' the band had not recorded together for almost ten years. Within this period Eitzel went on to have an acclaimed, if occasionally uneven, solo career. Known for a more hard-edged approach to folk and Americana, American Music Club took us on an alternative road-trip through some not always pleasant sub-cultures and characters.
When making plans to go to this show, a friend of mine persuaded a mutual friend of ours to go. Our mutual friend said, "aye, be a bit of craic", to which my friend replied, "it won't be a bit of craic! It'll be two hours in the dark and you'll love it!" Indeed, with American Music Club it may not be dark yet, but it's getting there. Amid the melancholy though, lies a sharp wit and some finely crafted songwriting. Also, Mark Eitzel is one of the most distinctive voices of the last 20 years.
Rumours prior to the release of 'The Golden Age' were that it was a lot more 'up' than previous American Music Club records. The dark sense of humour still prevails on the album, that's for sure, and it is a fine record. I still prefer 'Love Songs' and 'Everclear', but with all American Music Club records it takes a long time to absorb them fully, which is part of the fun. Yes, I said fun! I'm really looking forward to Saturday - it WILL be good craic!
American Music Club - Whelans, Dublin, Feb 2.
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