America – America (Warner Bros/Rhino)

Album is an underrated gem

The trio America emerged with their debut album in 1972, boasting three vocalists and songwriters: Dewey Bunnell, Gerry Beckley, and Dan Peek.  Their stellar first long player has been reissued as part of Rhino’s Start Your Ear Off Right – released under the Rhino Reserve series, boasting superior sound, and pressed on 180-gram vinyl.

This album is absolutely perfect for the vinyl format – the instrumentation is dominated by warm, acoustic guitars which jump out of the speakers in this environment.  A side-by-side comparison between this, and our original, 1972 copy reveals some interesting things:  for one, this album is somewhat brittle sounding, in any form.  This new, Rhino Reserve version attempts to even things out, adding a deeper, warmer low end that was not present on the original.  

This debut shows the band relying heavily on the percussion of the acoustic guitar – something that would soon fade, in favor of bigger and bigger productions.  Case in point, the lead off track, “Riverside,” has heavily strummed guitars in each channel, and you really notice the excellent bass work here in analog.  And, then – those harmonies!  

The ominous “Sandman” seems to hit a little harder in these current, volatile times.  America was known as a “soft rock” combo – but there is nothing “soft” about this track.  Those gorgeous harmonies pull you in on “Three Roses” – and dig the triangle in the right speaker.  America has often been compared to Crosby, Stills & Nash, and “Children,” sung by Beckley, is very similar to CSN in song structure and harmony.

All that is just the appetizer for “A Horse With No Name,” a song of isolation and desperation that continues to grow legs with younger generations (one recent example being its inclusion in Breaking Bad).  That 12-string solo is still breathtaking.  The first side closes with “Here” – I’m just baffled by why Beckley’s vocal sounds so poor at the beginning of the song.  It’s not unique to this pressing – it’s that way everywhere (original vinyl, CD, even streaming).  Did they just use cheap microphones?

Beckley’s “I Need You” is beautiful, with those 12-string guitars that really jump out.  The pedal steel is a surprise on Peek’s “Rainy Day.”  The second half of the album loses a little momentum, as there’s a more mellow tone to these tracks.  “Never Found the Time” has a slight Beatles’ feel to it, while “Clarice” is hypnotic it’s simplicity.  But, just when you’re lulled, it awakens and becomes this whole completely different song, about 3 minutes in.

Despite the mellow acoustics, “Donkey Jaw” has some biting words and searing electric guitar.  The album closes with the very odd “Pigeon Song.”  Considering “Everyone I Meet is From California” had to be cut in later pressings to include “Horse With No Name,” I’m surprised they didn’t jettison the strange “Pigeon” instead.

A very solid album, America’s debut is an excellent choice for your vinyl collection.  And, the new, Rhino Reserve version sounds fantastic.  —Tony Peters