I just heard America's first album? Recommendations?

Anything similar to their music?

 

Batdorf And Rodney - 1971 - Off The Shelf (full album) - Video Dailymotion

 

America's second album.

 

Neil Young.

 

Crosby Stills and Nash (1969 debut)

 

I had long rejected America as merely another '70s soft rock act, a genre that doesn't interest me at all.

One day not too long ago, a friend came over with some records, one of which was an early album by America (I'm not sure which one). I was surprised to find that I really liked it. Looking at the credits, I saw that the supporting musicians were many of the same folks that played on a lot of the great Los Angeles rock and pop records of the mid-late '60s. While listening, I picked up on the linear connection between what America was doing c.1972 and the Sunset Strip folk- and country-rock from a few years earlier (Gram Parson-era Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, etc.), which I like.

I've been meaning to pick up some of their stuff...

 

If you like their first album you'll probably like the next two, Homecoming and Hat Trick, despite the latter having "Muskrat Love" on it. Their fourth album, Holiday, is their first produced by George Martin, and the beginning of a slicker, more pop sound. It's still good stuff but be aware it's a definite change in direction.

 

Get this one now, an excellent album produced by none other than George Martin of Beatles fame.

 

In all my years listening to music there has been this one song that instantly reminded me of America..it uncannily sounds exactly like them:

 

Little River Band

 

Re Neil Young/CSN(Y), I'd say that whole "family" a la pretty much everything that those four guys have been involved with. So also Buffalo Springfield, the Byrds to some extent, Stills, Crosby and Nash's solo albums, etc.

 

every album in the america catalog has something to offer.

are there any perfect albums, absolutely not, but there is definitely enough good stuff on every album to warrant a serious listen.

not all of their albums are easy find on CD, and (i have no idea on this) but probably anything after 88 have probably never been on vinyl.

their box set "highway: 30 years of america" is nice overview.

 

Pretty much all of theirs I like. Also try to find America Live from around '77. Great sounding and performance!

 

Oh yeah....my favorite 70s album.

 

After the Goldrush ~ Neil Young
After Hours ~ Little River Band
The Poco album with the orange trees on the cover.

 

In my opinion america never topped America.

It's their best album imo.

 

This is really the hidden secret about America. Over the years, they've come to be known for a handful of iconic songs from the '70s and a big comeback hit in the early '80s. But the truth is, they have a very deep a catalog of album cuts over many decades that makes it worthwhile to collect all of their albums.

 

America-Homecoming is my favorite by them. Loggins and Messina, Firefall's first album, Eagles first two albums, Poco, James Taylor-Gorilla and In the Pocket. I love the soft-country-rock sound. In more of a country vein....Ozark Mtn Daredevils-It'll Shine When It Shines and Pure Prairie League-Bustin' Out.

 

The 5cd boxset above is cheap and full of good songs. Get it.
Among the five, Homecoming is the best one for me.

 

I'll bet The Eagles put out a couple records you would like. And then there's the Flying Burrito Brothers. And 'Workingman's Dead'.

 

In addition to the whole CSNY "family" that has been mentioned (CSNY and all of the members' solo projects and other bands), Tom Petty in his mellower moments has a lot in common with America. Try Wildflowers first, then if you're willing to try something more rock-oriented, try out some of the Heartbreakers albums.

 

To go in a more British and esoteric direction...Nick Drake or John Martyn. America covered a Martyn song on their second album and have mentioned that a Nick Drake song title "Hazey Jane" inspired their song "Daisy Jane."