America - America

Title: America Artist: America Release Date: 1972 Re-Released On: 5/20/2008 Label: Warner Bros., Platinum Disc, WEA/Warner Duration: 46:14 UPCs: 075992725729, 096009131029, 4943674072668, 0724383763856, 075992725743 Genre: Rock Styles: Psychedelic, Soft Rock, Folk-Rock, Contemporary Pop/Rock, AM Pop Moods: Melancholy, Reflective, Romantic, Searching, Sentimental, Smooth, Soothing, Summery, Warm, Wistful, Autumnal, Gentle, Intimate, Pastoral, Poignant, Earnest, Laid-Back/Mellow, Relaxed, Soft, Sweet, Amiable/Good-Natured, Calm/Peaceful, Springlike, Organic Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 10 Number of Discs/SwapaCD Credits: 1

1. Riverside
2. Sandman
3. Three Roses
4. Children
5. A Horse With No Name
6. Here
7. I Need You
8. Rainy Day
9. Never Found the Time
10. Clarice
11. Donkey Jaw
12. Pigeon Song

Year Type Label Catalog # 2007 CD WEA/Warner 12678 1999 CD Platinum Disc 1310 1987 CD Warner Bros. 2-2576

No other editions were found for this album.

America's debut album is a folk-pop classic, a stellar collection of memorable songs that would prove influential on such acts as the Eagles and Dan Fogelberg. Crosby, Stills & Nash are the group's obvious stylistic touchstone here, especially in the vocal harmonies used (compare the thick chordal singing of "Sandman" and "Children" to CS&N's "You Don't Have to Cry" and "Guinevere") and the prominent use of active strummed acoustic guitar arrangements (contrast "Riverside" to CS&N's "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes"). America's intricate interplay of acoustic guitar textures is more ambitious than that of their influences, however. Performance quality is usually good, though on occasion sloppily executed or out of tune (especially on the openings to "Donkey Jaw" and "I Never Found the Time"). Lengthy instrumental introductions ("Donkey Jaw"), middle improvisatory interludes ("Here"), and closings ("Clarice") are frequently encountered. Most of these selections boast highly unusual and inventive chord progressions that work well without drawing undue attention to themselves. Lyrics are sometimes trite ("I need you/Like the flower needs the rain") or obscure ("He flies the sky/Like an eagle in the eye/Of a hurricane that's abandoned"), but the music more than makes up for any verse problems; only the odd "Pigeon Song" seems an unsalvageable misstep. Sound quality here has a covered, intimate feel that lends a ghostly aura to this release. Chart hits from this album include the spectrally loping "A Horse with No Name," the squarishly tuneful "I Need You," and the nervously dour "Sandman." Other highlights include the buoyantly charming "Three Roses," the yearningly lovely "Rainy Day," and the quietly ringing "Clarice." In spite of its flaws, this platter is very highly recommended. ~ David Cleary, All Music Guide

Name Credits America Producer Dan Peek Piano, Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Acoustic), Bass, Guitar (12 String), Guitar, Vocals Dave Attwood Drums David Lindley Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Steel) Dewey Bunnell Guitar (12 String), Guitar (Acoustic), Drums, Guitar, Vocals Gerry Beckley Guitar (12 String), Bass, Chimes, Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Guitar (Acoustic) Ian Samwell Producer Jeff Dexter Producer Ken Scott Engineer Kim Haworth Drums Nigel Waymouth Design, Photography Ray Cooper Bell Tree, Percussion