Customer Reviews

Hat Trick

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I first purchased this album in 1974, it was more out of curiousity than any real expeactation that the songs would grab my attention in the same manner as the first two America LPs did. Of course, I was a child of the 1970's AM music period and my musical tastes were shallow and driven by the repetitive sound of the 3 minute single.

It is only in the last 5 years that I have come to realize, based on my evolving musical tastes, that this is easily the most accomplished and fully layered CD that America produced. Yes, Muskrat Love is a throwaway song, which the Captain & Tennille turned into AM hit several years later. But the fact that Dewey, Dan and Gerry had the moxie to self produce a record that features a nearly 9 minute "Hat Trick" offering ala the Beatles side 2 of Abbey Road, shows the group's yearning to be more than a singles artist. There are several polished pieces on this disc, most notably Dewey's Rainbow Song and Wind Wave, Gerry's Submarine Ladies and She's Gonna Let you Down and Dan's It's Life as well as his opening 2 minute offering from Hat Trick. Some of the songs cover the same ground as the first 2 releases, and the lyrics can sometimes by simple, even underwhelming, however the group stretches itself here as they never would again, as many of these songs attempt in the studio what the band could never perform on stage. I would venture that this record's tag is - the whole is better than the sum of the parts. It is only after repeated listenings that the ambiance, mood and individual and collective influences grab hold and you find yourself replaying snippets of the music in your mind at the most unpredictable and spontaneous moments.

After producing the first 2 discs in 1972, this offering was not released until the end of 1973, nearly a year after Homecoming. Given what I have read about their rather laid back working pace, it is not surprising, as they have said that George Martin put them on a schedule when he began to produce the group in 1974. I am thankful he was not involved in this production as the final product would have been different from what it is today.

Although Hat Trick may not be ground breaking in the scheme of rock records, it stands the test of time as a ground breaking 40 minutes for America.

A commercial disappointment, this collection of songs bears up well under the scrutiny of time. It would have made for an interesting change of career direction, if the record had been a success on the charts. Unfortunately, we will never know the outcome, given the course of history.

I agree with the other reviewers. This may be America's best album, although for sheer enjoyment, Homecoming (the group's second album) is hard to beat. America was moving into album rock territory and away from just songs. Hence the Hat Trick Suite, which is a beautiful, lengthy song cycle. I think the production here is first rate, highly layered, and loaded with interesting musical and instrumental variation. Song after song is perfectly produced--from the hard rock of Green Monkey to folky balladry of "Molten Love" to the pop strings of Wind Wave. Unfortunately, America really didn't score any hits with this album (I tend to think "Muskrat Love" is on this album merely to make the record company happy--hey, there IS a single, after all!), and I think that's why we see a sudden shift to George Martin and a much more commercial approach immediately after this. Too bad--if the band could have just scored one or two legitimate, band-written hits off Hat Trick, maybe they could have kept developing their art AND remained commercially viable. Buy this one and Homecoming...and yes, the rather rough first album. Those three are their best.

"Hat Trick" is one of the least lauded of America's albums when it ought to be acclaimed as one of their best. Even I, an America fan for nearly 30 years, underrated "Hat Trick" until I rediscovered it on CD format this year. With a more mature taste than I had as a teen in the 70's, I can look back at tunes like Wind Wave, Rainbow Song, and Submarine Ladies and truly appreciate their diamond-in-the-rough brilliance. As much as I love the later pop hit You Can Do Magic and the "View From The Ground" album, that's a much more polished sound and is not the same America that was captured on "Hat Trick". There's a raw, youthful exuberance on this album that no amount of polish can replace. Possibly this is the quintessential America album.

perfect example of why greatest hits cds don't do a band justice. America is so much more than Sister Golden Hair and Horse with No Name. Listen to this cd for the full range of their talent.

Not much to add to what has already been said. It's just quite amazing that they self-produced this gem. There is some delicious production here. Perhaps they didn't need George Martin to come in at all the following year.

Do not be too judgemental about "Muskrat Love" - just because C&T made it a mega-hit later on. Listen to it again with an open mind. It's a lovely arrangement too. I'm curious about its inclusion though. Did Warner's need to promote a potential radio hit? It's the only song not written by the boys, but they do make it 'theirs' (not unlike "Head and Heart" from the previous album).

It saddens me that this effort has not had the commercial success it deserved. There's not a bad tune on this record (just as their two previous albums). Later on, like during the declining years from 1976 and on their was quite a bit more "filler" material. But if you're a fan like me, you will explore some great songs from the forgotten later years.

My only recommendation is that this material gets remastered. The sound is overall fine and the ear adjusts to the close balance, but it needs just a hint of more air around the sound like wonderfully sounding "Homecoming" album - especially with all of this incredible production. Overall, Not bad at all for a simple guitar-based band. Not bad indeed!

(By the way, on a final note, I have burned car copies from the store bought CD's. Homecoming and Hat Trick fit nice and snuggily together on to one CD, as well as Holiday and Hearts - AND - Hideaway with Harbor. Give it a shot for yourself!)

The soulful, spiritual quality of this album is unsurpassed. Every song is a gem. I bought this as an LP when it was first released in the '70's, and it continues to be one of my all-time favorites. This was a TREMENDOUSLY talented group in this time period, and this album is usually overlooked. Worth its weight in gold. I'm afraid they lost their way a bit after this, though some of their later work is excellent as well (and of course their earlier work).

Even Muskrat Love (the only track that's not an original tune of theirs, and later tarnished by the saccharine cover by a later artist) has its charm due to the wonderful harmonies of this group. My only small quibble is the guitar on Green Monkey, which is over the top - but again, that is played by another artist. This is a real master work!

This was not my first America recording but it was my favorite and remains so. Wiith the exception of M. Love, the much maligned single (silly tune...nice melody and production), this is the most consistantly interesting America record. other records of there's seem less consistantly satisfying somehow. I find that HT holds up pretty well. They stretch out a bit on this one, which is refreshing in todays world of packaged pop. But hey, I recognize that you can't say in a Rolling-Stones-sorta-way that this band ROCKS! That's like comparing apples and oranges though. They do write a well crafted tune. Nice voices, solid playing. George Martin would not have produced them for nothing. Highly recommended.

Taking the proverbial leep of faith, "America" steps out of their comfort zone to produce this third album with no inhibitions! "Hat Trick" is distinctively different from their debut album simply "America" or "Homecoming" yet is filled with lush overtures and sometimes complex arrangements like that of the title track. "Wind Wave" is very flowing and the string arrangements for this cut are stupendous. (Video of this cut is available on their web link.) "She's Gonna Let You Down" and "Rainbow Song" are also excellent!!! Do not be fooled by the critics. You can not compare this particular work to any of the previous or post 70's era!!! Give it a listen!!!

in 1974 i was lying on a beach in rio de janeiro. missing the U.S.(america!), when on my little transistor came a song that blew my mind. it was RAINBOW SONG and to this day its still one of my all-time favorite songs. tom scott's saxophone at the end is truly amazing. it wails. upon arriving back to this wonderful country i bought the album, it was my first america album. although i quickly filled out my collection with their first two and subsequent more pop hooked albums this one stands as a special one. it captures the desert and a western loneliness in sequenced splendor. their MUSKRAT LOVE is the only one i can stomach and WINDWAVE is america at their most beatle-esque. in my opinion, their third was a charm.

A great album that may have been stereotyped by its first single, Muskrat Love. The album was produced by America and rivals their later work with George Martin. It was a moderate hit in 1973 when it was released, peaking at 28 on the US album chart. They run the gamut on this one, from harder rock (Green Monkey), to soft pop (She's Going To Let You Down), to folk rock (Windwave) and everything in between (Hat Trick). If you are an America fan this album is a must.