America - Homecoming (1973) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. Ventura Highway
02. To Each His Own
03. Don't Cross the River
04. Moon Song
05. Only in Your Heart
06. Till the Sun Comes up Again
07. Cornwall Blank
08. Head and Heart
09. California Revisited
10. Saturn Nights


Arguably the best album they ever made, America's sophomore effort is certainly the most varied. Though the overall sound is still dominated by folk-style strummed guitars, there's quite a bit of extra instrumentation--electric and acoustic pianos, banjos, and, in the almost rocked-out 'Cornwall Blank', actual electric guitars for a change. The band's musical palate is also expanded, as seen by 'Don't Cross the River', an overt foray into country-rock territory that wouldn't have sounded out of place on the Eagles' contemporaneous debut album. Throughout, the boyish Crosby, Stills and Nash-style harmonies are exceptionally inventive, and the group's songwriting finally moves beyond their influences. The big hit here, 'Ventura Highway', is far more musically and lyrically sophisticated than anything on their debut.

Homecoming peaked at #9 on Billboard's Pop Albums chart and was certified platinum by the RIAA. It produced three hit singles: 'Ventura Highway' which peaked at #8 on the Billboard singles chart and #3 on the Adult Contemporary chart; 'Don't Cross the River' which hit #35 on Billboard and #23 on the Adult Contemporary chart; and 'Only in Your Heart' peaked at #62 on Billboard's Pop singles chart. Several other songs received radio airplay on FM stations playing album tracks including 'To Each His Own', 'California Revisited', and 'Cornwall Blank'.

'Homecoming, America's finest album, refines and focuses the folk-pop approach found on their debut release. The songs here are tighter and more forthright, with fewer extended solo instrumental sections than before. The sound quality is clear and bright; the colorful arrangements, while still acoustic guitar-based, feature more electric guitar and keyboards. The performance quality is more assured, among the most urgently committed the group would ever put on vinyl.

Verses are still sometimes banal and clunky ('You can't disregard your friends/But life gets so hard when you reach the end') or cryptic ('Sorry, boy, but I've been hit by purple rain'), but a number of the song subjects here exhibit a yearning sense of wanderlust and love of the outdoors that proves to be highly evocative and compelling (particularly on 'Moon Song,' 'Ventura Highway,' 'California Revisited,' and 'Cornwall Blank'). Chordal progressions are sophisticated and contain many subtle surprises. A few new style wrinkles can be seen in the country-influenced 'Don't Cross the River,' the drivingly gutsy 'California Revisited' (perhaps the hardest-rocking song the group would ever produce), and the hushed yet mildly funky 'Head & Heart (by John Martyn).'

Chart hits from this release include 'Ventura Highway,' 'Only in Your Heart,' and 'Don't Cross the River,' but each song here has something to recommend it. This top-flight album is a very rewarding listen.' (David Cleary)

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