Skip to main content

American Football - American Football

American Football’s self titled debut ended up being the only album they have released thus far in their career back in 1999, however the album epitomises the phrase “less is more” as the album and its 9 songs still intrigue and excite new and old fans alike. Upon release the band shortly split up, but since 2014 they have been touring and playing shows again. It’s very interesting to find a band with only one album release that can still be successful and popular. Perhaps the soft spoken, confessional lyrics that seem to relate to any teenager’s struggles mixed with dual guitars and varying time signatures of math rock is the perfect blend for making this album critically acclaimed.
Album cover
Each song is perfect for an indie/coming of age movie, capturing a melancholy mood with Steve Lamos' jazz drumming and Mike Kinsella and Steve Holmes' alternating/interacting guitars. It’s a beautiful album and one that you can get lost in as the songs blend together in a way that is not boring but rather pleasing as you can relax and chill out or think about failed relationships. Yes, this album can make you feel those polar opposites, as the chilled out music is paired with lyrics about broken relationships, whether to leave home, and the struggles of leaving college. Allmusic reviewer Fred Thomas stated that "Every song here manages to sound meticulously constructed without diminishing the easy, often dreamlike feel of the album. The record is defined by a sense of possibility and youthful discovery, and stands out not just as an anomalistic emo-jazz hybrid but as a lasting, iconic statement in the often blurry history of independent music". This simply is an album for teenagers written by teenagers.
L-R Steve Holmes, Steve Lamos and Mike Kinsella
Perhaps it’s not surprising that these guys are considered pioneers of the emo genre (not the “I shop at hot topic and am mad at my parents” type of ego btw) With bands such as Jawbreaker and Sunny Day Real Estate paving the way for emo music in the mid 90’s, American Football joined them with this record, making them a big influence on later emo bands to come along, paving the way for bands like Jimmy Eat World, Alkaline Trio and Saves the Day.

My favourite song on the album is the first song Never Meant. The rhythmic and jazzy drumming mixed with harmonious guitars and lyrics about breaking up with someone loved make for a great song that on one hand can make you chilled out yet also make you remember your experiences with love whether good or bad, really set the tone for what the album is like as a whole. Also, the video is stunning piece of film and it really compliments the song excellently.




So in conclusion, if you want a dreamy, melancholy tinged album, with math rock and emo influences, then listen and buy this album.


Album Rating 8.5/10

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Alexisonfire - Alexisonfire.

Alexisonfire’s eponymously titled debut album is another one of my firm favourites. I first listened to it around the start of 2015 through the recommendation from a good friend of mine. I’d heard a couple songs from them before hand, but nothing more. Despite this little information I trusted my friend’s word on giving it a listen, and to this day I don’t regret it. This album is a landmark for the Post hardcore genre and came at a time when Post Hardcore was really at its peak. To my disagreement, it gets labelled with the ‘Emo’ tag. On some levels I can agree, but I feel there’s too much aggression and energy which surpasses the lyrical content to call it an ‘Emo’ album. Nevertheless, the 42:16 run time produces 11 songs filled with raw energy and brilliant musicianship, really setting themselves immediately apart from other bands in the scene. It’s an album that makes you want to jump and run around, it’s the musical equivalent of an energy drink. The most brilliant part is that 3
Post a Comment
Read more

Deftones - White Pony

Let’s go back and remember what was popular/ in the mainstream for rock music in the year 2000. Unfortunately, it was Post grunge, Nu metal and Industrial metal. Acts like Powerman 5000 and Puddle of Mudd were relevant on the musical map and getting more focus than arguably better genres at the time, such as indie rock, Post Hardcore, stoner rock and the 2 nd wave of emo. Fortunately, there were still some gems that set the new millennium off with a metaphorical bang. Deftones 3 rd album White Pony marks a growing point in the bands musical history. Their 2 previous releases, Adrenaline and Around the fur were mature metal records blended with rap stylings and hardcore sensibilities. Around the fur I feel is a solid and mature effort which serves as a stepping stone for the maturity and artistic development seen on White Pony. Frank Delgado joined the band full time after providing audio effects for half of the songs on Around the fur, adding a new element to the bands song writ
Post a Comment
Read more