Mark began writing and recording the songs that would become Don’t Be a Stranger in early 2010. Initially planned as the next American Music Club album, it quickly became evident that the new songs would work better as a solo album. He took his “horrible demos” to “poor long-suffering” Merge Records, who replied, “Oh Mark. Really?”. Nevertheless, he persisted.
In 2011 he was forced to take a step back after suffering from a heart attack, and had to re-evaluate his lifestyle and habits during a lengthy period of bed rest. By the end of the year, Mark had recovered well enough to continue recording. Good luck suddenly appeared when an old friend whom had won the lottery made a generous donation, giving Eitzel the chance to work with producer Sheldon Gomberg.
Mark’s song writing is simpler on this record and lyrically reflects a more straight-ahead approach. However, there is a haunted quality and feel to the songs, about broken promises, leftover people, the desperation one feels when time and cash are running out, and ultimately at the root of all songs, the feeling of not knowing what comes next.
“If Leonard Cohen’s voice is a story about the passage of time and Levon Helm’s is a story about losing what is most precious to you, Eitzel’s is about the circuitous roads we take in search of ourselves.” – Pitchfork.com
