Rock critics have wondered why neither Mark Eitzel nor his late, great band American Music Club never became household names. Surely his ability to write affecting songs and insightful lyrics would get him at least some commercial success. But music critics, traditionally the most out of touch people in the world, seem to have forgotten the "Unibrow Rule of Rock"-- that being, no unibrowed performer will ever be a commercial success.

Which for Eitzel fans, is just fine. The One- Browed one is too smart and cool to ever be popular. Mark's latest effort, shows him indulging in what he does best: writing great songs. Most of the first side features nothing but Eitzel's voice and his appropriate plucking on an acoustic guitar. The second side has him recruiting Yo La Tengo's James McNew, Sonic Youth's Steve Shelley, and somebody named Kid Congo Powers for as backup band. While the all-star lineup rocks in proper fashion, it's when Eitzel hogs the stage that the album really shines. "If I Had A Gun" has him lamenting a lost love with gorgeous feedback bubbling underneath. The album's closer "Sun Smog Seahorse" is one of the prettiest songs he's ever done.

But the real treat of the album are Eitzel's incisive, bitter lyrics. When, on "White Rosary," he sings, "Rest a cold hand on your forehead/ A comfort instead of a cure," you realize the man knows you better than you know yourself.

-Samir Khan