Customer Reviews

Harbor

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I originally heard a few tracks off this CD on an old 8-track tape that bit the dust a few years ago. Hearing them again on this CD and knowing what America had for big hits in the early/mid 1970s, it's a shame the singles picked for this album didn't become hits, as they really stand out.

A few of my favorites off 'Harbor'. "Don't Cry Baby", in my opinion, one of (Dan) Peek's nicest tracks he's put on tape. "God of the Sun' is catchy (I like that synth at the end), and "Monster", which was also the B-side of "Don't Cry Baby", is a beautiful and haunting acoustic guitar/vocal piece that reminds me of how America got it's 'sound' with the very first album.

I would have given this a 5 star rating, but I had to dock off a point due to the song "Slow Down". The band (or it's producers) I think, tried desperately here to get a hit by going the way of disco. Unfortunately, this is not quite the "America" I know and enjoy on that piece.

Other than that, this CD is a 'must have' for America fans, even those who have purchased the "Highway" box. I feel a couple other tracks from "Harbor" could have been included in the box also, but at least, it included a couple highlights from the "Harbor" album.

Highlights: "God of the Sun", "Don't Cry Baby", "Seargent Darkness", "Monster", "Sarah"

when I bought this LP in the '70's, I only liked a few tracks...it actually gets better with time. I'm especially fond of "Monster" and "Sarah"...It's a shame it's not available domestically. I'd skip the boxed set and get all the original albums on CD.

Recorded with a mobile studio in Hawaii, which probably didn't help them keep their focus on recording. Still a very good album and their last album with the original line-up. The album was a modest hit in 1977, but pop music was being over-taken by disco and America was fading from the spotlight that they had enjoyed since 1972. Surprisingly none of the songs made a dent on the singles charts and none received much airplay. Best songs are God Of The Sun, Don't Cry Baby, and Monster. Bowing to commercial pressures the album does include a disco song, Slow Down.

Recorded with a moble studio in Hawaii, which probably didn't help them keep their focus on recording. Still a very good album and their last album with the original line-up. The album was a modest hit in 1977 peaking at 21 on the US album chart, but pop music was being over-taken by disco and America was fading from the spotlight that they had enjoyed since 1972. Surprisingly none of the songs made a dent on the singles charts and none received much airplay. Best songs are God Of The Sun, Don't Cry Baby, Monster, and the rocker Hurricane. Bowing to commercial pressures the album does include a disco song, Slow Down. The album was produced by legendary Beatles producer, Sir George Martin.

While this is a good CD the price of this import release is very high and you can find other releases of this album cheaper.

HARBOR is not one of my favorite examples of the group's artistry. I have been a big fan of Bunnell, Beckley and Peek (and the subsequent duo of Beckley/Bunnell) since their debut in 1972.
HARBOR, under the smart production of George Martin, has all the ingredients that made earlier albums like HEARTS, HOLIDAY and HIDEAWAY such classic collections: tight vocal harmonies, strong orchestral accompaniment, and often quirky lyrics.
It seems, however, that the songs themselves were programmed for radio airplay and the boys didn't get a chance to "cut loose." For instance, there's a fierce guitar solo in ARE YOU THERE that ends just when I wanted more. Same thing for HURRICANE.
My favorite America songs have mostly been written and sung by Bunnell. His staccato approach e.g. TIN MAN and the transitions to catchy choruses, have defined America's unique sound. ARE YOU THERE and POLITICAL POACHERS therefore are my favorite tracks on HARBOR.
SARAH is pretty, but reminds me too much of DAISY JANE. Admittedly, SLOW DOWN is a disco wannabe but not entirely bad. GOD OF THE SUN is almost Beatle-like, but very well done. The remaining tracks are enjoyable, but don't show a lot of growth for the trio.
Fortunately, there was still a lot of great music left in AMERICA and their newest, BACK PAGES, is on the horizon. P.S. Their Christmas album, HARMONY is a must for fans!

Give a listen to "Sergeant Darkness" on this disc. I think it's one of the most beautiful songs ever done by the band. Hopefully, this will see a domestic release someday soon.

America broke the scene in 1972 with folky-acoustic pop with the hit song 'A horse with no name' and a brilliant debut album which forwarded outstanding tracks such as 'Sandman', 'Three roses' and 'Never found the time', as well as the hit 'I need you' and the afforementioned 'Horse with no name'.

From 1973's Homecomming album, they gradually moved away from the acoustic, desert sounds of the debut and slowly progressed towards a more artistic direction, gaining former Beatles producer George Martin along the way.

'Harbor', from 1977, is possibly the pinnacle of Martin's work with the band, at least in terms of ambition. One track features bouzuki's, oboe's, an orchestra, etc. Although some people don't like this type of experimenting, in fact, it is refreshing (in my view) to hear a wider variety of instruments. There's oboe all over this album, a feat very few records, even from the experimental 70's, can claim to have achieved.

The songs are short and concise, and the songwriting is often excellent. The overall theme of the music of emptiness, isolation, loss, relationship turmoil, all dealt with artistically, as least, as was as much possible within the frame-work of a three minute pop song. 'America' performed with plenty of emotion, Dan Peeks songs particularly heartfelt (as always) on his last outing with the band. Although some songs overdo the dark concept ('are you there' seems to be about devil-worship, one song is called 'monster'), and not everything is a masterpiece, there are enough inspired moments to warrant a 7/10 rating, or ***1/2.

what an album. seargent darkness, dont cry baby, sarah, too good

for the charts. check out human nature, hourglass, this band is

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