The catchphrase for this album seems to be "Mark Eitzel discovers programming" - a tagline that not only exaggerates the extent to which Eitzel's composing process has changed but also short-sells the CD, which is his best and most consistent since his American Music Club days. Yes, Eitzel programs some synths and rhythms here (and proves himself quite adept in so doing), but he also incorporates orchestral details on "Can You See?" and "Without You," fogbound piano on "To the Sea," and acoustic guitar-driven balladry on "The Global Sweep of Human History." While each of his first three solo albums seemed to be trying on various stylistic clothing (smoky jazz troubadour, guitar-pop bandleader, brooding acoustician), here his songs are tailored in a less formally rigid manner, recalling the sweeping, somewhat eccentric yet fitting arrangements of AMC's last two records. Both Vudi and Bruce Kaphan (ex-AMC compadres) appear in The Invisible Man's credits, so perhaps this isn't coincidental. Oh - and despite his reputation as dour depressive, two songs here remind us that Eitzel also has a wicked sense of humor. "Christian Science Reading Room" is a drug-addled shaggy-dog tale - or I should say, shaggy-cat tale - while "Proclaim Your Joy," the umpteenth rewrite of "Subterranean Homesick Blues," notes that "some build coffins, some drink coffee" and, more importantly, "some take pain killers, turn into Vampira." Even with these redeeming moments of lightness, Eitzel's canvas is indeed primarily autumnal . . . and here his music remembers that autumn leaves are anything but monochromatic, and are beautiful in their fallen glory.

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