It’s the 4th of July. The anniversary of the birth of our country. Which band, who is now in their fiftieth year of existence, should we celebrate?

AMERICA!

Actually, I’m not really celebrating them. I was never a big fan. Don’t get me wrong, I do like some of their songs. But from the beginning, I thought their music was boring.

It was fifty years ago, back in the golden/olden days of 1971 when “A Horse With No Name” was dumped into our brain over and over and over again. When you talk about being burned out on a song, this is a perfect example of that phrase.

I remember hearing “Horse” for the first time. I thought it was a new Neil Young tune, and I was far from the only one. It made sense at the time because not only did the singer sound like Neil, but the band said that Young was one of their major influences. But, America and their songs never had the imagination, energy, edge or power that Neil brought to his music.

It’s now almost fifty years since the release of America’s first self-titled album. The record did receive fine reviews upon its release. It also sold more than one million copies which earned them a platinum record. Maybe it’s time to give it another listen? Maybe I was wrong? It’s been known to happen before.

NOPE!! Not today. I was right about this one.

The songs are fine, but they’re dull. It’s basically an acoustic guitar album. Hey guys, I know you can play electric guitars. I’ve heard them in other songs on your later albums. You should have used them on this first one. It would have kept my eyes open. I didn’t fall asleep while listening to the album, but it was pretty close. Hmmm…maybe this is the album I should listen to late at night when I have insomnia.

To America the band, congrats on your fifty years as a band. Maybe I’ll check out some of your later albums because this one did nothing for me. Good thing today is the 4th of July. The fireworks will keep me awake after listening to that album.

Related Post: After fifty years, I’m still looking for the meaning of “The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys”

Type your email address in the box and click the “create subscription” button. My list is completely spam free, and you can opt out at any time.