Customer Reviews

Silent Letter

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

 

 

This is not a bad CD, but it is not one of America's better efforts. The production is excellent but the songs are a bit uneven. Released in 1979, this was America's first studio album as a duo and last collaboration with legendary Beatles producer George Martin. It failed to produce any hits and the album did not crack the top 100 of Billboard's album charts. It does have some good songs such as "Only Game In Town", "All My Life", "One Morning", "And Forever", "Foolin" and "All Around". The Tower of Power horn section plays on "High in the City".

Let's ponder this bit of musical trivia: When this trio of three Army brats stationed in England rode A HORSE WITH NO NAME into instant 70s stardom, they started a string of successful albums whose titles started wit the letter H. After their self-titled debut album of course: HAT TRICK, HOMECOMING, HOLIDAY, HEARTS, HARBOR, HIDEAWAY and HISTORY. After that, their star dimmed, they became a duo and never reclaimed their hit status. Ironically or coincidentally, with the exception of the overlooked HOURGLASS and their delightful HARMONY Christmas album, they abandoned the H titles...hmmmm.
But I digress. SILENT LETTER finds Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley gamely continuing their offbeat lyrics and folk-tinged pop, occasionally branching into a harder edge as in ONLY GAME IN TOWN and AT NIGHT. Their lyrics have always had strange concepts. Though admittedely infectious and catchy, how can one decipher the meaning behind HORSE WITH NO NAME, MUSKRAT LOVE (although they didn't pen this one), SISTER GOLDEN HAIR and TIN MAN's "Tropic of Sir Galahad?" But this only makes them more memorable.
Bunnell and Beckley have maintained their distinctive vocals; the harmonies are impeccable and their oft-time producer, George Martin (of early Beatles Fame) supports the duo with sharp arrangements.
SILENT LETTER may not stand as tall as the H days, but it's enjoyable as a companion piece.

This is not a bad CD, but it is not one of America's better efforts. The production is excellent but the songs are a bit uneven. Released in 1979, this was America's first studio album as a duo and last collaboration with legendary Beatles producer George Martin. It failed to produce any big hits in the US and the album did not crack the top 100 of Billboard's album charts. It does have some good songs such as "Only Game In Town", "All My Life", "One Morning", "And Forever", "Foolin" and "All Around". The Tower of Power horn section plays on "High in the City".

SILENT LETTER is easily the best late 70's AMERICA album.THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN leads off the album with one of AMERICA'S best rockers ever.In a "sane" world,ALL AROUND would have been a huge smash.I rank ALL AROUND as one of AMERICA's best songs ever.Gerry Beckley's 1960 is truly an amazing piece of songwriting,while Bunnell's AND FOREVER is smooth as silk.Other highlights are ALL MY LIFE and HIGH IN THE CITY.No AMERICA fan will be disappointed with SILENT LETTER.

Give this missed gem a listen again on compact disc. If you're are a true AMERICA fan, this is an essential album. A perfect production from the master of the studio, George Martin. Bunnell's "Only Game In Town" should have been a hit single. Beckley's "1960" still gives me a chill today. I'm glad the digital age has finaly blessed us with this long lost, and highly under-rated album!

I've been a fan of America from the start. It was with great interest that I noticed One Way had just released four of America's albums from 1979-1984. I had missed this one when it came out and was eager to hear it. Silent Letter is interesting, but not one of America's better efforts. America appears to have been trying to change their sound (a big mistake). I'd vote "All Night" as their worst song ever! Buy this one only if you have to own every one of their albums.

Their first studio album as a duo and their last collaboration with legendary Beatles producer, George Martin. I was disappointed when I first listened to this album when it came out in 1979. It sounded like they were trying too hard to make up for the loss of Dan Peek. Three songs were minor hits: Only Game In Town, All My Life, and All Around. Best album cuts are: And Forever, Foolin, and One Morning. Some tracks feature the Tower Of Power horn section. Martin does an excellent job with the production, as usual. This album has grown on me over the years, but still not one of my favorites.

This cd is not among AMERICA s' most popular albums. In fact, it was generaly ignored by fans and radio in general, but it contains among the best songs the band ever recorded. Beginning with the first one "The Only Game in Town" (a great rocker opening song, and following with "All around", "all my life" and "1960"), you have 4 songs that should have been singles and smash hits. Who is to blame? maybe the executive s' record company.... maybe it was the fans. Sometimes we use to forget about our old favorite artists thinkin that they already passed their prime. Well, this is not the case, as well as other later day America s' cds, especially ALIBY. AMERICA was a band with 3 great singer/song writers and still they create greate music. Check out Dan Peek and Gerry Beckley solo cds as well!

This is one of those unrecognized good albums from America.I like it because all the songs are of life in general. "All my Life" is a wonderful balled for two people in love. All other tracks have a warm melody and have been well written."One Morning" stands out as well as "1960".Very seldom do you find an album with all good tunes."And Forever" has a sax part which you really don't hear from America which rocks!.Even though it was released 24 years ago it still sounds fresh to me today.

This was not a very popular album for America but it is really great. Gerry Beckley's "1960," "All Around," and "All My Life" are wonderful. If one enjoys the sound of America, you will certainly enjoy this one.