Caught in a Trap and I Can't Back Out 'Cause I Love You Too Much, Baby (CD - 1998)

Personnel: Mark Eitzel (vocals, guitar); Kid Congo Powers (guitar); Steve Shelley (drums).

Audio Mixer: Bryan Martin .

The doyen of doom returns for another round of dread and self-effacement. Fortunately, that's just what we love the about the erstwhile leader of the American Music Club. In sharp contrast to its predecessor WEST, CAUGHT IN A TRAP consists mostly of solo acoustic-guitar-and-vocal recordings, and it is here that Eitzel shines brightest, his deep, husky voice resonating over his delicate, Nick Drake-like guitar patterns. Ballads dominate the album, pulling the listener in to Eitzel's private world of emotional disarray.

A few friends enter the fray, as Sonic Youth drummer Steve Shelley, Yo La Tengo bassist James McNew and Congo Norvell guitarist Kid Congo Powers back Eitzel on a few cuts. Instead of providing a breath of fresh air, though, the full-band tracks only intensify the angst and unrest at the heart of Eitzel's best work. An unremittingly dark album, even for Eitzel (which is saying something), CAUGHT IN A TRAP is nonetheless mesmerizing, and easily stands among his finest recordings. minimize