Hellenic Hell

In November 2001, the owner of Tongue Master records invited Mark Eitzel to fly out to Greece and record an EP with Greek musicians under the guidance of Greek composer/producer Manolis Famellos. Backed up by a sort of Greek Buena Vista Social Club, the EP bloomed into this full-length LP.

As well as six balalaika-adorned re-workings of classic American Music Club tracks ("Western Sky", "Here They Roll Down", "Jenny", "Nightwatchman", "Will You Find Me", "Last Harbor"), Eitzel offers one decent new song ("What Good Is Love?"), an unremarkable Famellos composition ("Love's Humming (Black Love)") and new versions of two previously released solo songs (" Take Courage", "Anything"). This has self-destructive career move written all over it. Like Alex Chilton before him, Eitzel alternates between genius and audience-baiting mediocrity. After two fabulous albums—The Invisible Man and Music For Courage And Confidence—he gives us this. Whatever next?

Rating: 2 / 10