Search - American Music Club :: Love Songs for Patriots

Another Morning - Same Great Sound

imants | Bora Bora | 02/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's a sad state we are in today when critics and fans prop up snot-nosed skinny emo-boys like Conor Oberst, hailing them as the next Dylan while the American Music Club CD catalog sits in record store bins, gathering dust. Front-man Mark Eitzel, unlike the afore mentioned Oberst (aka Bright Eyes) has truly loved and lost and lived to tell about it. Middle-aged and world-weary, Mark Eitzel has been spinning out some of the world's best damn introspective songs for the last 20 years. And it is a true shame that we had to live without this band for 10 of those years. To fellow AMC fans, and from the reviews posted here I know I am in good company, I say this is a must own record. It is better than their last record, San Francisco, and not quite as good as their masterpiece, Mercury. This record took several listens to grow on me, but like many of my favorite records, it is well worth the effort. I also managed to catch AMC on this tour and they still put on an amazing show. If you have a chance to see them live I highly recommend it. The only thing missing from this record is the beautiful weeping pedal-steel guitar of former member Bruce Kaphan but that is almost made up for by the wonderful keyboard work of new member Marc Capelle. The rest of the members here are also in top-notch form. All musical bases are covered here: rock, jazz, country, folk and lounge music and unlike many of today's acts who claim to wear their heart on their sleeve, the sound is genuine."

Such exquisite sorrow

Pieter | Johannesburg | 02/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"On Love Songs for Patriots, American Music Club's mood is as dark as ever, but infused with the hope of redemption. Filled with yearning and distorted dreams delivered in the most beautifully poetic lyrics, the first three tracks Ladies and Gentleman, Another Morning and Patriot's Heart set the lugubrious but defiant tone for this masterpiece.



The drinking song Ladies and Gentleman is achingly moving in its juxtaposition of the pain of living with either truth or with lies. Patriot's Heart, about a male stripper, is a masterpiece of conflicting emotions, cynicism blended with compassion and understanding. Wow, this approach is something else, so unique and stirring.



There are also gentle and tender moments like Another Morning, an inspiring song about shaking off bitterness and depression, framed in a lovely melody and pop orchestration. Another highlight, and one with a sprinkling of humour, is the gentle ballad Myopic Books. The delicate track Love Is reminds me of their gem of a song Firefly from an earlier album, whilst Only Love Can Set You Free is an appealing love song.



The last two tracks, Song of the Rats Leaving the Sinking Ship and The Devil Needs You, are quite ambiguous and may be interpreted on both a personal and universal level. The latter is over 7 minutes long and combines a powerful drum pattern with delirious keyboards and horns to conclude the album on a high note.



As with the rest of their oeuvre, Love Songs For Patriots is not easy listening for everybody, but if you love the kind of redemptive sadness often found in the work of artists like Nick Drake, Leonard Cohen, Richard Thompson, Peter Murphy, Swans, Michael Gira's Angels Of Light, Nick Cave, Emmylou Harris or Jane Siberry, you will love this welcome return by American Music Club.

"

Nice stuff

Blake W. Ruiz | 11/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A completely expected return to form for those who have followed Mark Eitzel's career since the disintegration of AMC. Said gentleman's songwriting skills have only improved since then, as evidenced by a string of stellar solo albums; truly the only thing that's been missing is the backing of his old band. This release sounds great to me after only 3 or 4 listens, can only imagine how much I'll love it a year from now. It's still a crying shame that Mark and the boys have never gotten anywhere near the level of appreciation that they deserve, I guess this stuff is just too honest for most."