Tongue Master Vinyl & CDs

Review: When Mark Eitzel first unveiled 'The Ugly American' there were a few murmurs about the fact this was his second album of non-original material, seizing on moments from his back catalogue with a revisionist's eye (or ear). But this was missing the point, a collaborative concept sees work written during his American Music Club era given an injection of new inspiration thanks to a group of Greek musicians he hooked up with. Bringing winds, reeds, bouzouki and mandolins, among other instruments, the result is transcendental and yet familiar, a folk-ish journey through the mythologised landscapes of southern Europe as seen through the outsider's gaze, with a culture clash at play thanks to the western indie pop foundations. The combination works effortlessly, with some moments of real ingenuity, and better yet it will sound great on 180g vinyl.