America - love it or leave it?

[3LockBox]

It was only maybe a decade ago I learned that this act was from England. Yeah, they kinda borrowed their sound from CSN and Neal Young and their lyrics sometimes had one scratching their head (maybe in that way they borrowed from early Yes as well) but they did have some immaculately recorded and produced albums in the beginning. The first two albums (s/t and Homecoming) are pure folk/pop gold IMO, but the next two or three are kinda spotty and then after about '75 they turn to pop pap ala Air Supply. Its kinda funny that their output becomes a tad sketchy right around the same time George Martin started producing their music.

Any fans?

[Klonk]

When I was a kid I used to love to sing along to my older brothers America's Greatest Hits album (one of many) It's still brought up at family gatherings so for that reason the America tunes on this album will always give me a smile. I still think they are nice, catchy folk/pop tunes that hold up well. I'd be interested actually in checking out some of the songs outside this record. They're the only ones I know.

[3LockBox]

There are more gems in their catalog than what made it to the History album, especially when you consider that someone thought that Muskrat Love was a greatest anything.

[trurl]

Homecoming is one of my favorite albums, by anyone.

[SteveSly]

One of the first albums I ever bought when I was a teenager was “History, America’s Greatest Hits”. I am not that familiar with their studio albums, but have always enjoyed their more well known stuff. They are a band I have always intended to explore further, but for some reason never have. Never seen them live either.

[Guitarplyrjvb]

I like all of 'em up to Hideaway!

[trurl]

One of the first albums I ever bought when I was a teenager was “History, America’s Greatest Hits”. I am not that familiar with their studio albums, but have always enjoyed their more well known stuff. They are a band I have always intended to explore further, but for some reason never have. Never seen them live either.

America is, for me, the very definition of a "skip the hits" band. I would really suggest getting those first two albums and trying them out, and just ignore every song you've actually heard before

[Rune Blackwings]

not liking America is simply un-American

[Vic2012]

Never cared for them much. I remember all their hits and those songs have been tattooed on my brain. Horse With No Name was the first hit I remember. Just never felt like buying any of their records.

[Brian Griffin]

I always liked their "hits" and have the "30 Years Box", the KBFH disc, and a couple of boots

Overkill for sure based on the # of times I've spun them but a couple of times a year it's instant earworm when needed

If I could only pick one to dip a toe in, it'd be the KBFH - great sound, with all your favorites

BG

[ronmac]

From England? It's my understanding that they are Americans who's military fathers were stationed in England when they met. Or something along those lines.

[PeterG]

From England? It's my understanding that they are Americans who's military fathers were stationed in England when they met. Or something along those lines.

Half American. All 3 of them had English mums and by the law of most countries (whereby mother's nationality determines) that makes them English. Two were born in the US, one was born in England, they grew up in the London area, and went to high school there, as their dads were all USAF based at an outer London RAF Station.

[Guitarplyrjvb]

I read a story where they came over here and went to David Geffen's place to meet him and were greeted by a completely nude and unabashed Joni Mitchell. Welcome to America indeed!

Here's the link from Dan Peek's book:

http://books.google.com/books?id=P_g...tchell&f=false

[Dave (in MA)]

I read a story where they came over here and went to David Geffen's place to meet him and were greeted by a completely nude and unabashed Joni Mitchell. Welcome to America indeed!

Well, it's a good thing they weren't a band that came along in the 2010's, then.

[the winter tree]

AMERICA were a "gateway" band for me between bubblegum and "serious" music. When I was a little kid '69 or '70 I started with Jackson 5, Osmonds, Partridge Family, etc and by '72 I was listening to AMERICA. Had all their albums and dug them up until "Hearts". Then I discovered Elton John and after that Led Zep, Pink Floyd, etc.

[the winter tree]

I read a story where they came over here and went to David Geffen's place to meet him and were greeted by a completely nude and unabashed Joni Mitchell. Welcome to America indeed!

Here's the link from Dan Peek's book:

http://books.google.com/books?id=P_g...tchell&f=false

Greeted by the Canadian ambassador:-)

[hippypants]

I enjoy them, pretty radio friendly at the time. I still have their first album and a greatest hits, and still listen to them.

[Vic2012]

Now I have an earworm because of this thread.
Ventura Highway......in the sunshine. I wanna rip my ears off.

[PeterG]

I wanna rip my ears off.

...presumably while riding cross the desert on a horse with no name......the ear worm wars continue

Conventional warfare: Sandman
Chemical warfare: A Horse with no Name
Biological warfare: Ventura Highway
Atomic warfare: Only in your Heart


And if your ears still aren't completely destroyed by those then there is always

Neutron bomb: Muskrat love.....AAAAGGGHHHHH.....HEEEEELLLLPPPP!

[Bungalow Bill]

They're last studio album was surprisingly good...I'd recommend it to any fans who skipped it...

[bob_32_116]

I used to have a couple of America albums on vinyl - think they were Hideaway and Harbor. I also had Homecoming on cassette.

I never got CD versions of those, but I did buy The Definitive America which has 23 of their songs including pretty much everything I consider essential, though I do miss "Another Try" from the Hideaway album. Overall it's a pretty consistent set of songs; there are two or three that I find a bit lame. A nice surprise is the Jimmy Webb song "The Last Unicorn", apparently written for America to be used in an animated fantasy film.

My favourite America songs:

A Horse With No Name
I Need You
Don't Cross the River
Another Try
God of the Sun
Only In Your Heart
Woman Tonight

One member (Dan Peek) left the band after rediscovering Christianity, and for some years was a successful figure on the Christian Rock circuit.

[PeterG]

They're

Their is the possessive pronoun.

[ronmac]

Their is the possessive pronoun.

You should have quotes on "their."

[bob_32_116]

You should have quotes on "their."

No, quotes before and after the word, rather than on it.

[trurl]

About. Quotes about the word.