California

3.2 - Most of us have had that one co-worker who's always inviting the office to see his band perform. He's a nice guy and does good work. So, finally, a group of you decide some Wednesday evening to go see him perform. The gig's fairly close to the office and it's on the early side so it's not such a huge commitment. Plus, what else are you going to do on a Wednesday night? After the show, you offer him hearty pats on the back. "Good work, man! Didn't know we had a rockstar in our midst," you quip as you wave goodbye.

I can't believe this needs to be said, but "this isn't on Spotify" isn't remotely a legitimate criticism of an album. Spotify is a cancer on music (even more so than the rest of the industry) and is for soccer moms and other "I like to have something on in the background" casuals. If you have such limited resources that your only place to listen to music is Spotify and YouTube ("o noes, there are ads, whatever will I do!??"), that's your problem. In fact, reviews that mention Spotify should be discarded outright. If that includes this review, then fine. OK now that we've gotten that out of the way, this is not a bad album. I'd never heard of it before; while it didn't really grab me, the songwriting is solid and it does anticipate, by a few years, one of the dominating radio sounds of the early 90s.

You can find this album on YouTube, but I don’t recommend you waste your time.

Harddd pass on this one. Another one of the "why is this album on the list" albums. Not sure what is redeemable about it. I guess it sounds sincere, but it doesnt sound good. I cant sing, and neither can the vocalist of the band.

If Bruce Springsteen wasnt for dads, but for alcoholic sad dads.

underrated; should be on spotify

This album was not on available on spotify.

Never heard of American Music Club before, and that seems to be a mistake. California is a great showcase of songwriting and blending of americana, indie and post-punk with a great highlight in 'Pale and Skinny Girl'.

Incredible album which sounds well ahead of its time (I'm starting to realise that my favourite 80s albums are ones that don't sound like they were released in the 80s). Seems like they've had far reaching and significant influence on everyone from Elbow to Brand New and Slint. Even a bit of REM (see Western Sky) but I suppose they lean more toward contemporaries. Strong blues attack mid album breakdown in Bad Liquor demonstrates solid range. Outstanding song writing goes without saying.

This isn't on Spotify, so I had to buy it via Bandcamp (you can also listen to the album there): https://americanmusicclub1.bandcamp.com/album/california-digi-only-release And it was worth it! Reminds me of Radiohead and Talk Talk, and a little Elliot Smith. Digging those chord progressions.

Feels extremely dated, like a band trying to play Toad The Wet Sprocket. I'd read a review suggesting this was like slowcore. It is not, and it it's Not for me.

Pretty boring. Some ok stuff but nothing really here.

I don't like country or bluegrass or whatever. I can expound but that's not important. I feel bad because I simply cannot give this album a snowball's chance in hell. Firefly turned me off so much that I'll probably never achieve an erection again. It's like someol garage band played what they think Rush sounds like and read the menu to a barbecue joint over the music. I listened to the second track in the album, Somewhere. I suspect that the person on drums is taking out their aggression instead of keeping rhythm. Objectively, the music is passable. I simply hate it. This is my rating and if you don't like it, you'll have to live with that.

I have listened to one song from American Music Club - a cover of The Carpenters’ Goodbye To Love that appeared on a tribute album in 1994. It was a fantastic cover that I have loved ever since. I never looked into the artist. What took me so long?! These guys are fantastic. I love the music. The steel guitar. The rock guitar. The acoustic guitar. The deep lead singer’s voice that cracks at all the right moments. The songcraft. Everything about this album is fantastic. It took a bit of effort to find somewhere to listen to this album. My first listen was to a YouTube playlist a friend found. I loved it so much that after that first listen, preparing to listen again, I decided to go use the Bandcamp link said friend provided and pay £10 + tax to be able to download MP3s to my Music app. A fantastic keeper! So many great songs, picking a favorite is tough. But Western Sky just keeps haunting me…

This came completely out of nowhere. Never even came close to hear about American Music Club. Beautiful, varied and never hiding even an ounce of emotion. This is not the last time, I have visited their discography.

Not worth enduring the YouTube ads for.

Couldnt listen on spotify found on you tube and fell off my chair... 30 minutes later when i came round youtube was playing a video about replacing a broken motor on a washing machine. Why? My washing machine was fine, washing better than ever, in that moment there with the warm dribble working its way down my chin i realised i was still on the floor. Moments later upright, alert I made my self a nice cup of tea and relaxed.

AMC bring back so many memories. Western Sky is a perfect song. I don’t hear too many references to them any more, so I’m glad they’re represented here.

вау!

i need to buy this album on cd. this is beautiful i haven't heard music so good in a while. such mellow and cool tracks. the guitar is beautiful.

Their best work. A sad, but real album, full of melancholic songs, but the occasional upbeat one. The last song is a real tear-jerker.

4.5

It was worth going out of the way to search it! The first song started a bit worryingly generic, but as the album went on it developed a sense of unique personality

"California" is the third studio album by San Francisco indie rock band American Music Club. This music is an early example of Americana and alt country combining rock, punk, folk and country. All songs were written by vocalist and guitarist Mark Eitzel. The album opens with "Firefly." Slide guitar. Easy rock and you definitely get that alt country vibe you'd hear a few years later. He's losing a girl as she slips through. "Somewhere" is more rockin.' A great vocal chorus and a searing guitar solo to end the song. Eitzel delivers more sad, lonely songs in "Blue and Grey Shirt" and "Western Sky." More slide and acoustic guitars with the music creating a yearning atmosphere. They change it up a bit and go pyschedelic in "Highway 5." At this point, they needed to open it up and they did with some hard feedback guitar closing the final minute. I knew some Neil Young would show up at some point. This is a really good album. A lot of songs build slowly. It reminded me a lot of the Red House Painters and Silver Jews in that respect with the slowcore approach to songs. Very earnest, heartfelt lyrics and music. Maybe, they were a few years ahead of the Americana curve. But, who knows if this would have ever gained a widespread audience. Anyway, an album most everyone, I think, would like to some extent.

Their alt-rock is more obvious and less valuable than the song architecture that stretches, emerging from words unstately laconic. So the songs get big and slow. American Music Club marks a thin and gritty lane for the record, which falls apart in the middle to be reconstituted. Home state advantage does work in the retrospective.

Couldn’t find this on streaming but it was easily available on YouTube If you’re looking for great songwriting, this album is a great example of it The slow and dense instrumentation also adds to the depressive atmosphere Favourite tracks: Laughingstock, Lonely, Pale and Skinny Girl, Western Sky, Highway 5

Pretty solid americana adjacent music. Weird mix of 80s style vocals and more countrified vocals. Like this alot. Reminds me of Counting Crows.

Quite liked this one

Probably my fav of theirs.

Hard to find, but I found most of it on YouTube. I had never heard of these guys, but this was a nice surprise. Really nice!

This album sounds like a lot of other things (Elliot Smith comes to mind at certain points on the album because of the lead vocalist's voice), but it certainly doesn't sound like it came out in 1988. I would have put it at least 5 years later than that. I liked the album, but didn't love it, but it deserves a lot of credit for doing the folky alt-country thing much earlier than a lot of the other bands that ended up sounding like them in the decade after this 4/5

Enjoyable.

Anachronistically evocative, this sure as sugar doesn’t sound like 1988. Slow/sadcore pioneers, eh? Maybe that’s why this sounds like the logical stepping stone between Husker Dū and Elliott Smith. Some of these tracks gave me goosebumps. That’s good, right? How have I never heard of them??

It was difficult to hear all of it as it's not on any streaming services, which is a shame because this is one of those rare finds that I think I would like a lot. I might download it and listen properly.

Spotify does not have this album, I hate that. Had to listen on Youtube which cut up the flow with stupid ads every so often. Despite that, I quite liked this album! It felt like a perfect blend of indie/alternative with little splashes of country and blues throughout. It did not feel like an album from 1988, that's for damn sure. This could have very well been released in 2010 or 2014 instead and it would have fit right in. They were either lightyears ahead of their time or genuine time travellers who decided to go back to the 80's to enjoy life again at a simpler time and just chill, making music. And if that's the case, please SHARE YOUR BACK TO THE 80'S TIME MACHINE WITH ME!!! I wanna go too.

Un clàssic perdut entre les obres de culte del rock alternatiu nordamericà. Va ser publicat al 1988, però no pot sonar menys associat al seu contexte. De fet, sona totalment atemporal, una petita joia a conservar fruit del geni de Mark Eitzel, probablement en un moment personal força obscur, però a la vegada en el seu moment artístic més brillant

This one is really special, I can feel that It's bot on spotify sadly, but it is at least a strong 4

This album wasn't on Apple Music which is a shame. I did find it on YouTube music but it was a fan playlist. I did really like this album and wished I could find it easier.

This album was great but oh my god it was so annoying to find

Reminds me of the Trashcan Sinatras. This isn't a bad thing.

Genre: Indie rock, slow-core Americana 1988 Standouts: Jenny, Laughingstock, Pale Skinny Girl, Firefly, Somewhere, Blue and Grey Shirt, Now You're Defeated Really need to hear more of this! 3.5

Solid indie-rock from Mark Eitzel and his band. An easy listen that is straightforward and low key, though not terribly exciting, has some fine moments with above average songwriting. This style of music isn't something I would normally rate high, but it's so much more satisfying that a majority of the albums that made this list. Nice to see it recognized.

De va nog rätt swäg

Beautiful in many different ways. Definitely a slow burn, but satisfying when you warm up to it

Indie slowcore.

Sadly not on the streams where I am (at least not any more). AMC feel like a band that time forgot. They're so good, but never got their due credit. First time listening to this album and it's really good.

Not on Spotify, had to find on YouTube.

Good enough that I should have heard of it before, but never heard of them before.... 5/5: Blue & Grey Shirt, Jenny, 4/5: Firefly, Somewhere, Laughingstock, Lonely, Pale Skinny Girl, Now You're Defeated, Rating: 4/5

It was hard to track this one down -- it's not on Spotify so I ended up streaming it from random YouTube uploads, not exactly the best way to listen to something new. I was impressed! I liked the tunes, found them reminiscent of Wilco, and then looked at the year, and wowzers, this was way ahead of its time. Definitely a great inclusion on the 1001 and a band I'm going to have to check out more thoroughly.

Really good!!

Couldn't load on spotify, but listened to it on youtube and thoroughly liked it

being hard to get made it better?

Indie slowcore.

Hidden gem

Not on spotify obvs, which I get, but it is still a shame, might have to buy a CD... I do enjoy it, and I think I could like it more if i could listen to it more.

Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Lonely, Jenny

I had no idea what to expect, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I liked this album. Good early-mid 90's softer type rock. The guitar strum is so recognizable to the era along with the intentional lyrics that speak of times and people gone by. Best song is Western Sky. Honorable Mention: Jenny

Enjoyed this one a lot, I'm a sucker for folky Americana and pedal steel guitars.

Good

I like the lyrical themes, and kind of like the overall sound as well, but I just find the playing and singing style a bit boring and repetitive for my taste. I like more variation within the form of a song. A few songs, like Highway 5, do have a bit more going on instrumentally, if not in form. I was going to give this a 3, but I liked the last few songs, and I have a feeling it might grow on me and work well if I'm in a bit more of a laidback, meditative mood, so I'll bump it up to a 4.

Had never heard of them before but I really enjoyed this album. Great vibe. Great for a long drive. Firefly was my favorite

I listened to Everclear and Songs of Love Live by Mark Eitzel because this album was not available on Spotify. It's a shame because I really enjoyed those two albums and would love to listen to this one. The songwriting is fantastic and Mark's voice is really interesting, almost like an understandable eddie vedder. Will definitely listen to some more of their stuff.

4/5

Reminds me of groups like American Football or Pinegrove. Really liked it, though wish it was on Spotify, haha.

this band has 11 thousand monthly listeners on spotify. this album isn’t even on spotify - had to listen on youtube. and it ended up being REALLY GOOD and it’s a shame i’ll probably never go back to it since it isn’t streaming anywhere. maybe i’ll check out their other stuff

Too bad this isn't available to stream because I enjoyed it a decent amount. My favorite was Western Sky. It's a softer indie rock album, a style I like much more than the Dinosaur Jrs. and Lemonheads of this era. Good song writing, the others I liked here were Lonely and Firefly.

Gutes Indie Album. Es lohnte sich die Recherche in YouTube und das Reinhören. Gelungene abwechslungsreiche Kompositionen einer Band der die Musik wichtiger erscheint als das Business. Der Song „Jenny“ ist grandios, gefühlstarrk und authentisch. Ich würde es auf jedenfall Wiederhören.

Full thing wasn't on Spotify, managed to find 4-5 songs on YouTube. Sounded pretty good, nice cruisy vibe. Vaguely Mark Lanegan sounding. 3/5 bc I couldn't hear the whole thing.

average length. average album 2.5

The most average album I’ve heard here. The only song I actually disliked was Bad Liquor. The first and last song I’d say are the best. Xtra half star for not being terrible.

A pretty diverse indie offering that was nice to listen to while it was on but was ultimately quite forgettable

Modt of the album was extremely nothing, even starting to get annoying and bad near the 75% mark, but the last four songs were all really nice and bleak yet beautiful. Nothing crazy good, but earns a three for its troubles.

This album was hard to find. I was able to stream it on Bandcamp. So, not off to a great start, but hey, streaming this album is technically free, which is nice. To be honest, this album wasn't all that bad. I'm not a huge country music fan, and this is not country at all, but the steel pedal guitar added an extra layer of complexity. Was neat to hear that instrument in a non-country atmosphere. Other than that, the album wasn't all that original and at points I was a little bored, but there are WAY worse albums in this book than this. Lyrics are actually very very good, but the average music, combined with a good, but forgettable voice, leads to an album that is lost to obscurity. Probably forgotten to time if not included in this list. Fun fact, the lead singer was at some point in a band called "Toiling Midgets", so at least he has that going for him. 2.5, but rounding up to 3 because of quality, poetic lyrics.

It's not on Spotify so i''m not gonna listen to it. It's probably a 3 tho

Never heard of these guys. A pretty okay slice of 80s indie, some nice vocals, pretty sounds. If you'd told me they were a MOR Aussie act from the time, I'd have believed you (excepting the band and album names)

Another 1001 I'd never heard of and probably wouldn't have otherwise.

kinda neat

A nice enough listen on a Sunday morning after Psychfest but I wasn't that upset it's not on Spotify because I probably won't listen again. Nothing stood out particularly, maybe the grey and blue shirt.

Rock indie

It was okay. With the first few songs I thought it would be another same country album. But it wasn't. It's chill.

I really liked the songwriting, but only a couple of the songs really grabbed me. Best track: Firefly

Massa mas nada pra ligar pra mae contar. Tive que ouvir no YT porque provavelmente eles tem birra com Spotify

I'd never heard of this band before. Amateur-esque roots rock only available on YouTube via user-submitted playlists. I don't mind a bit of roots/Americana style but this album was just kind of meh. I did like "Bad Liquor" which was a clear departure from the rest of the album.

Pretty good stuff maynard. 3 stars.

Je ne pouvais pas rêver pire pour mon retour de vacances

Robert nous offre un festival de chialeurs en ce moment, il va très certainement mal mais tant pis pour lui.

Laid back indierock.

не всё поняла (особенно слушая с ютуба), но вроде норм

Some guy told me to not bother listening to it.

Tears for fears gone country? For track one at least. Very interesting, not sure how i feel.

I guess the lyrics on this are supposed to be good? How come the only person with anything to say about this album is an Icelandic dude? 5/10

5/10. If this list doesn't have enough Neil Young for you, don't worry, this is basically the same thing with a different singer.

Meh.

Ni una sola de las canciones disponible en Spotify

Ok but unremarkable alt country rock. Tried many times to get into it but it just slips away like sand in the desert…

pretty! minus one star for being hard to get on spotify so... 3?

A lovely indie record. Sounds like lots of other things. A little bit country, a little bit folky, a little bit The Smiths, a little bit The National. Really nice. Rating: 3.5/5 Playlist track: Western Sky Date listened: 21/10/23

C'est assez Atmosphérique. J'ai des vibes the rock alternatif. 3.5

This is not bad and representative of a particular movement. Dimery must have had an off day. It’s not the best Americana but far from the worst. It’s just sort of there. I’d rather listen to Steve Earle or Lyle Lovatt or even Fleet foxes. But in a pinch this is ok. 2.5 rounded up.