Pros

• I completed my final exam as an undergraduate student yesterday.
• I graduate this Saturday.
• I’m going to see Radiohead on Sunday.
• My stimulus check is supposed to come this week…I think.

Cons

• My XBOX 360 died this morning.
• The Wizards were knocked out of the playoffs by LeBron James…again.

• Artist: American Music Club
• Album: The Golden Age
• Label: Merge
• Release: 2008
• Links: Official Site, MySpace

San Francisco’s American Music Club return with The Golden Age, their first album since 2004’s Love Songs For Patriots and second since reuniting. This time around, songwriter Mark Eitzel and counterpart Vudi welcome two new members: bassist Sean Hoffman and drummer Steve Didelo. This leads to a softer approach in comparison to the often bitter tone of Love Songs. However, much like that album, The Golden Age has a promising beginning and eventually flickers out on an underwhelming sigh.

Mark Eitzel is a fantastic songwriter, but I’ve always had a hard time listening to one of his albums all the way through without getting bored. There always seems to be a handful of great songs and a handful of filler. The first four songs on The Golden Age are outstanding, particularly the duo of “Decibels and Little Pills” and “The Sleeping Beauty.” Most of the tracks afterwards are quite forgettable though and lack the punch of “The Victory Choir” and “Decibels.” American Music Club would probably be a great band if they just released EPs, but at this point, their full lengths cannot keep my attention.

American Music Club are currently on tour. Their remaining tour dates are listed after the jump:

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