America

America | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B000002KDX
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,114 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Drawing upon the softer side of the hippie folk scene with a more refined sound, America garnered a string of hits for themselves in the '70s. With a rich, acoustic base and lush, high tenor harmonies, songs like "Sandman" were instantly successful. The band's breakthrough single was the slightly country-tinged "Horse with No Name," (which hit number one) that owed a debt to the craftsmanship of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. America displayed the band's sensitivities with "Clarice" and "I Need You," the latter charting at number nine. While the band made a name for itself on the strength of "Horse" alone, the rest of the record deserves attention, too. While "Riverside" and "Children Here" never reached the status of later hits like "Sister Goldenhair" or "Lonely People," they still command respect. --Steve Gdula

Product Description

CD

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Guitar Lessons April 24, 2004

By GuitarDave

Format:Audio CD

Sure, there are inevitable comparisons to Crosby, Stills and Nash. They are unavoidable because anyone playing acoustic guitars and singing harmonies will bring them to mind.
Comparisons aside, this is one great album. Every time I listen to it, it's like another acoustic guitar lesson. The interplay and blending of the guitars is very inspiring. The songs are good and the singing is right on the mark. I didn't realize what a big influence these guys were until I picked this up on CD and started listening to it again on a regular basis.
If you like acoustic guitars this is a must have disc.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Acoustic Rock Album of All Time November 20, 2005

By Ray Robinson

Format:Audio CD

One of the top selling debut albums of all time this is my favorite album of all time and has been so for more than 30 years. Sure, I love CSN, CSNY and Neil, but this album really isn't an imitation of those groups, just in the same genre; in my opinion there aren't enough albums in this genre! It's like saying no one else should play music using the electric guitar because Hendrix played it. Wouldn't that just make the selections in music just that much poorer? Face it, CSN and Neil did not invent the acoustic guitar, and though it was their trade mark, they rarely got down in their instrumental parts like this album does (I also rate Homecoming, and at times Hat Trick, as in this genre). To compare early America to them (and vice versa) is a compliment in my book. (I wonder what Neil thought of the first album?) I have owned 8 track, cassettes, 15 or more vinyl LPs (currently have two, including the original British LP without Horse!), 45s (Everyone I Meet Is From California was the flip side of the Horse 45 when it first hit the charts, so I will include it as another favorite tied to, but not on, this album), as well as CDs of this album... and I have never tired of it. For those who own the vinyl and have an adjustable speed turntable try slowing the RPMs down... the album will take on a more haunting sound. Other reviewers have done a good job of reviewing individual songs... my personal favorites from this album are Horse, 3 Roses, Here, and Donkey Jaw. It would definetly be at the top of my list of albums that would go with me to the proverbial deserted island.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Unplugged before there was an MTV! September 3, 2003

By A Fan

Format:Audio CD

This is an outstanding album! It was a huge hit in 1972, spent five weeks at number 1 on the album charts, and went PLATINUM in the days when few albums did. While some of the lyrics may be trite (most of the songs were written while they were teenagers) the music is GREAT! If you love acoustic guitars, this album is a must. It includes their first number 1 hit single, Horse With No Name and another big hit I Need You. Several other songs received significant airplay on stations including Three Roses, Sandman, and Never Found The Time. The only weak song on the album is Pigeon Song. Highly recommended if you like acoustic guitar music!