We continue to enjoy the re-releases of America’s back catalogue, which has been a trip down memory lane. Their first album, ‘America‘, and a greatest hits compilation were the soundtrack to my summer in 1995, when I turned seventeen, and I’ve had a strong affection and nostalgia for the band ever since.
As with the previous album, ‘Holiday‘, ‘Hearts’ is also produced by George Martin, the legend who crafted the unique sound of ‘The Beatles’. You can hear his influence on this mostly strong set of a dozen songs that showcase the songwriting talents of band members Gerry Beckley, Dan Peek and Dewey Bunnell. It’s perhaps a sign of the band’s increasing confidence in their artistry that there is no overall genre uniting this collection, but rather a cross-section of musical styles including but also outside of the folk/Americana that is perhaps the group’s signature.
You can hear the producer’s influence from the first track, ‘Daisy Jane’, that opens with a heartbeat effect that eases you into one of the most distinctive and memorable tracks on the album. Feel-good and accompanied by both piano and strings, ‘Daisy Jane’ is among the best of America’s output. As well as an album opener, it was also one of the singles from ‘Hearts’. So too was ‘Woman Tonight’, which has a reggae quality and, in its sound, can be compared to the work of Phil Collins. The strongest track on the album is undoubtedly the final single, ‘Sister Golden Hair’. Right from the opening guitar riff, it catapults you into a classic folk rock song, beautifully sung and brilliantly structured. The chorus is sure to get toes tapping.
Those three hits are undoubtedly the highlights and strongest songs of the album. They showcase the breadth of musicality that the band was comfortable to straddle by this time in their careers. It has to be said that not every song is quite so strong, and nor does the album cohere quite as satisfactorily as ‘Holiday’. All of it is perfectly pleasant to listen to, but there are weaker songs such as ‘The Story of a Teenager’ that never quite gets going, and which lyrically is a touch underwhelming. The closing song, ‘Tomorrow’, is a touch twee for a number to round out an album. Nevertheless, by the time you’ve heard all twelve songs, it’s the three undisputed classics on ‘Hearts’ that you’ll remember, and which make this album well worth adding to your collection.
America’s ‘Hearts’ is released in a limited edition with individually numbered copies on silver 180g vinyl. It comes with a double-sided full-colour insert of photos of the band from the album cover photoshoot. Relive the soothing, perpetually sunny sounds of the mid-70s now.
Tracklisting: Side A 1. Daisy Jane 2. Half a Man 3. Midnight 4. Bell Tree 5. Old Virginia 6. People in the Valley Side B. 1. Company 2. Woman Tonight 3. The Story of a Teenager 4. Sister Golden Hair 5. Tomorrow 6. Seasons Record label: Music on Vinyl Release date: 8th August 2020 Buy ‘Hearts’
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