Customer Reviews

Human Nature

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Not a bad CD, but I didn't think it was quite as good as their previous studio album (1994's Hourglass). The best songs are From A Moving Train (which made the AC charts in the US and was a hit in Europe), Wednesday Morning, and Wheels Are Turning. Gerry Beckley's songs stand out on this CD. Dewey Bunnell has some good ones and some misses on this one.

America disappeared from the recording scene after"PERSPECTIVE" in 1984 which was a big blow for me.The group had provided a steady flow of excellent albums since 1972 of which I'm lucky enough to own all.I was absolutely delighted when"HOURGLASS" made the scene ten years later and now we are blessed with this, their latest album "HUMAN NATURE".A great album which provides strong songs from both Gerry and Dewey.The track "Wednesday Morning" is particularly strong with pleasant characteristics from their early recordings.Other stand-out tracks for me are"From a moving Train","Wheels are Turning" and "Pages" whilst "Hot Town" provides a different slant with its catchy backing vocals - pleasant.A few familiar names appear on the support side - Willie Leacox, Michael Woods, Brad Palmer and the ever appearing Tim Schmit of the "Eagles" on backing vocals.Both Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell prove here that they are still able to write good songs and to perform them at a level which has thrilled many many people throughout the world over the last 27 years.Long Live AMERICA !

AMERICA has been making music non-stop since 1972. This new disc layers familiar acoustic guitar & piano work with the warmth of Gerry Beckley & Dewey Bunnell's rich, harmonic voices. The melodies are smooth & flowing. The single is FROM A MOVING TRAIN & this song has become a very big hit. The disc also contains a great song PAGES & WEDNESDAY MORNING, both songs from the hearts & minds of AMERICA's founders. OLOOLOLO is a song that takes you on a far reaching safari - this song is a masterpiece. Please give this disc a try. Jim Nakao

This is a very strong effort from America, their first new release in 4 years. Stand out songs are From a Moving Train, Wednesday Morning, and Pages. If you are and old America fan you will love this album. If you've never listened to an America album, this is a good place to start.

Whenever I'm in a record store and one of my favorite bands of all time has a new record that I didn't know about, it's a pleasant surprise indeed. This was the case when I picked up the new America CD "Human Nature" yesterday. For the most part people write reviews here to express how much they love the new CD by the group they love. Are the reviews ever really bad? Anyway, I'm no different. Human Nature is a fine piece of music from a band who should be more popular in, well, America. I wonder sometimes if their music is just too pleasant sounding and too thought-provoking for the popular mass. I don't know, but it's a shame that more people do not recognize these talented singer-songwriters. I was 4 songs into this CD when I realized that I was listening to classic America in the late 90's and the music is still special. Nice job boys keep the sound coming my way.

A great CD! Strongest songs are FROM A MOVING TRAIN (which is currently making it's way up the AC charts as a single), WEDNESDAY MORNING, WHEELS ARE TURNING, and OVERWHELMING WORLD. For most of the songs, they return to their trademark accoustic based sound. Probably their best effort as a duo! I strongly recommend this CD!!

I'll have to say that I picked this up due to the liner notes plugging it by saying it was worldbeat infused. I found that not to be the case though. The closest they come to that is the closing track "Oloololo". Still, that doesn't carry a worldbeat sound though. All in all, the high points here are "From A Moving Train" and "Wednesday Morning". "Town & Country" has some good character, as does "Overwhelming World Suite". It's lukewarm at best.

Okay, I've read the other reviews and obviously there are still a lot of devoted America fans out there! And that in it self is good. They have always been a fun band to listen to. America has always had great "hook" songs, with lyrics that may not have made sense (like "Horse with No Name" and "Tin Man"), but were great to sing along with. I had high hopes for this CD, but it fell short. No real "classics" on this one. I remember clearly "Sleeper Train" from their "Hourglass" album, which had the same haunting beauty of some of their earlier releases. But, all in all, it's great they're still recording, and that we still have those diehard fans out there to appreciate them. I look forward to a more memorable release next time.

I remember hearing this Cd for the first time in a listening station at a record shop when it was first released. I couldn't believe how great it sounded and bought a copy right then and there. I was greatly mistaken when I considered America to be a washed up band whose best days were long gone. Many of the songs on this CD rank right up their with their classic debut album and Homecoming (my favorite America album). "From a Moving Train," "Wednesday Morning," "Wheels Are Turning," "Pages," and "Whispering," in particular, are wonderful, feel good tracks you can't help but sing along or hum to. In fact, when I am down in the dumps, this is the first CD I reach for. I was too young to see them during their heyday during the early seventies, so I appreciate that they are still putting out such quality material and are still touring.

From the two opening songs "From a moving train" and "Wednesday Morning" you are listening to classic America. The rest of the cd is not bad at all, but clearly those two songs are among the best ones ever recorded by the band (and this are not Russ Ballard songs). So you can hear the armonies and clarity of the recording....great work.