Autumnal Listening: Mark Eitzel & American Music Club

Despite their longevity, a recent reunion and the constant hard work of frontman Mark Eitzel, American Music Club are still one of the most under-listened to bands of the last 20 years, especially when Eitzel is a songwriting genius who should be celebrated as a true treasure. Maybe it's down to a lot of their back catalogue being out of print, stuck in major label vaults with nobody to reissue them, or maybe it's just sheer ignorance or bad luck, but AMC are many of my readers dream band, but they just don't know it yet. Fans of The National, Red House Painters, Low; take note: you need this band in your life. They also make the most perfectly autumnal music in the world; so please make some effort and do yourself a favour by listening to these songs. Royal Cafe in particular is one of my favourite songs ever written. Sheer beauty. The reason I post them is that the band, with a slightly rejigged lineup have got another album, named MacArthur Park is due out on Merge in early 2008, with a world tour to follow. Meanwhile Eitzel will be performing solo in the very intimate surroundings of London's Luminaire on the 14th October, playing solo tracks, AMC favourites and songs from the forthcoming record. I can't get to it, but maybe you could. And if you could and don't, you're an idiot.

American Music Club - Big Night
American Music Club - Outside This Bar
American Music Club - Royal Cafe
American Music Club - Sick of Food