West (Mark Eitzel album) explained

West
Type:	Studio
Artist:	Mark Eitzel
Cover:	Westeitzel.jpg
Alt:	A photo of Eitzel look to the side, wearing a hat
Recorded:	December 10–16, 1996
Studio:	Ironwood, Seattle, United States^[1]
Genre:	Rock, singer–songwriter
Label:	Warner Bros.
Producer:	Peter Buck
Prev Title:	Words and Music
Prev Year:	1997
Next Title:	Caught in a Trap and I Can't Back Out 'Cause I Love You Too Much, Baby
Next Year:	1998

West is the fourth solo album by the American Music Club singer/songwriter Mark Eitzel, released by Warner Bros. Records in 1997. It includes songs co-written and produced by the R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck from October 15 to October 17, 1996.^[2]

Critical reception

The Chicago Tribune wrote that "with Buck producing and co-writing West, Eitzel has never been part of such an overtly inviting pop album."^[3]

Track listing

All songs written by Buck and Eitzel, except where noted:

1. "If You Have to Ask" – 4:20
2. "Free of Harm" – 3:21
3. "Helium" – 5:25
4. "Stunned & Frozen" – 5:10
5. "Then It Really Happens" – 4:28
6. "In Your Life" – 4:04
7. "Lower Eastside Tourist" – 3:49
8. "Three Inches of Wall" – 4:48
9. "Move Myself Ahead" – 3:35
10. "Old Photographs" – 5:22
11. "Fresh Screwdriver" – 3:59
12. "Live or Die" (Eitzel) – 5:14

Personnel

• Mark Eitzel – vocals, guitar on "Live or Die", string arrangements on "If You Have to Ask"
• Steve Berlin – fuzz bass on "Old Photographs", piano on "Helium"
• Peter Buck – guitar, bass guitar on "Live or Die"
• Bruce Kaphan – string arrangements on "If You Have to Ask"
• Barrett Martin – drums, acoustic bass guitar, bass marimba, vibes, tablas, conga, tambourine
• Scott McCaughey – electric bass, organ, piano, slide guitar
• Mike McCready – guitar on "Fresh Screwdriver"
• Skerik – vibraphone, organ, baritone saxophone

See also

• The Lonesome Death of Buck McCoy, a studio album by The Minus 5 featuring many of the same musicians and recorded at the same time as West

External links

• "Power Trio", in the Phoenix New Times (July 12, 1997)

Notes and References

1. Phalen . Tom . Album collaborations of R.E.M.'s Peter Buck . . May 16, 1997 . February 26, 2018.
2. News: Kaufman . Gil . Mark Eitzel, Peter Buck & Tuatara Crew to Hit the Road . https://web.archive.org/web/20180227035558/http://www.mtv.com/news/508999/mark-eitzel-peter-buck-tuatara-crew-to-hit-the-road/ . dead . February 27, 2018 . . February 1, 1997 . February 26, 2018.
3. Web site: Kot . Greg . EVERYONE, IT SEEMS, IS IMPRESSED WITH SONGWRITER MARK EITZEL--EXCEPT MARK EITZEL . Chicago Tribune . 8 May 1997 . 8 July 2020.