American Football (2016 album)

American Football
Studio album by American Football
Released October 21, 2016 (2016-10-21)
Recorded April 2016
Studio ARC Studios, Omaha, Nebraska; SHIRK Studios, Chicago, Illinois
Length 37:58
Label Polyvinyl
Producer American Football, Jason Cupp
American Football chronology
American Football
(1999)		 American Football
(2016)
Singles from American Football
  1. "Desire Gets in the Way"
    Released: October 5, 2016

American Football is the second studio album by American rock band American Football. The album was released on October 21, 2016 through Polyvinyl. Following the release of their debut self-titled album in September 1999, the group broke up. In April 2014, the group announced they would be reforming for a number of live performances, playing shows through the year and into 2015. In early 2016, they began recording the second album with Jason Cupp at ARC Studios in Omaha, Nebraska, and at SHIRK Studios in Chicago, Illinois.

Background

American Football released their debut self-titled album in September 1999 through Polyvinyl.[1] The band broke up due to the members no longer living in the same city[2] and their college courses coming to an end.[3] Vocalist/guitarist Mike Kinsella said that they "never had any ambitious goals. [...] we weren't kids who wanted to [...] tour all summer."[4] Kinsella and guitarist Steve Holmes both moved to Chicago and remained in contact at first.[3] Meanwhile, drummer Steve Lamos moved to Colorado, later becoming a professor.[3] Kinsella wanted to form a new group where he had full creative control, eventually creating the project Owen.[2]

In April 2014 American Football announced they were reuniting for live performances. Holmes said the group realised that "the time was ripe for three middle aged dudes to play some old songs about teenage feelings, and stand around tuning guitars for a long time."[5] American Football, with the addition of Kinsella's cousin Nate playing bass, played a surprise show in August in Chicago.[6] They then followed this up with playing a festival in September, then three shows in New York.[7] Further dates running into December were also played,[6] as well as the band's first UK shows the following May.[8]

Composition

The majority of the group's songs are created from Kinsella and Holmes' intertwining guitar parts.[9] Kinsella described "Give Me the Gun" as "just me checking in on a distressed loved one done in my best Bernard Sumner impersonation".[9]

Recording

The album was recorded in April 2016 at ARC Studios, located in Omaha, Nebraska, and SHIRK Studios, located in Chicago, Illinois.[10] Production duties were handled by the group and Jason Cupp.[11]

Release

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic77/100[12]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[13]
Consequence of SoundB+[14]
Pitchfork7.7/10[15]
The Guardian[16]

On August 23, 2016, the band's second self-titled album was announced for release. On the same day, "I've Been So Lost for So Long" was made available for streaming, and the album's cover art and track listing was revealed.[11] On September 7, "Give Me the Gun" was made available for streaming.[9] "Desire Gets in the Way" was released to radio on October 5.[17] American Football was released on October 21 through Polyvinyl in the U.S. and through Wichita in Europe.[11] The group will perform a series of release shows in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and London.[10]

Accolades

Publication Accolade Year Rank
The Skinny Top 50 Albums of 2016 2016

Track listing

  1. "Where Are We Now?" – 4:44
  2. "My Instincts Are the Enemy" – 4:49
  3. "Home Is Where the Haunt Is" – 3:26
  4. "Born to Lose" – 4:54
  5. "I've Been So Lost for So Long" – 4:36
  6. "Give Me the Gun" – 3:24
  7. "I Need a Drink (Or Two or Three)" – 4:58
  8. "Desire Gets in the Way" – 3:28
  9. "Everyone Is Dressed Up" – 3:39

Charts

Chart (2016) Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC)[19] 71
US Billboard 200[20] 82
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[21] 14

References

Citations
  1. ↑ Jacks 1999, p. 24
  2. 1 2 Gormely, Ian (May 6, 2014). "Tim & Mike Kinsella". exclaim.ca. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 Goggins, Joe (June 5, 2014). "Not So Emotional?: American Football's Mike Kinsella on reflection, reminiscence and resurrection - The Line Of Best Fit". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  4. ↑ Martell, Nevin (June 11, 2014). "FILTER Magazine - Exclusives - You Should Already Know: American Football". filtermagazine.com. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  5. ↑ Minsker, Evan (April 21, 2014). "American Football Reunite for First Shows in 15 Years". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  6. 1 2 Kivel, Adam (September 11, 2014). "The 25 Most Anticipated Tours of Fall 2014". Consequence of Sound. p. 22. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  7. ↑ Richards, Will (January 6, 2015). "American Football reclaim their throne: "Reunion? We never did this first time around!"". DIY. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  8. ↑ Murray, Robin (November 20, 2014). "American Football Announce First Ever UK Shows". Clash Magazine. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  9. 1 2 3 Gotrich, Lars (September 7, 2016). "The One With The Vibraphone: Hear American Football's 'Give Me The Gun'". NPR. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  10. 1 2 Hilton, Robin (August 23, 2016). "American Football Announce First Record In 17 Years, Hear A New Song Now". NPR. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  11. 1 2 3 Minsker, Evan (August 23, 2016). "American Football Announce First New Album in 17 Years, Share New Song: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  12. ↑ "American Football (LP2)". Metacritic. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  13. ↑ Sendra, Tim. "American Football - American Football [2016]". Allmusic. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  14. ↑ Brennan, Collin. "American Football – American Football". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  15. ↑ Cohen, Ian. "American Football - American Football". Pitchfork. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  16. ↑ Mumford, Gwilym. "American Football: American Football review – a twinkling trip into emo's past". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  17. ↑ "FMQB Airplay Archive: SubModern Rock". Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Incorporated. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Top 50 Albums of 2016". The Skinny. December 1, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
  20. ↑ "American Football – Chart history" Billboard 200 for American Football. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
  21. ↑ "American Football – Chart history" Billboard Top Rock Albums for American Football. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
Sources
  • Jacks, Kelso (25 Oct 1999). "Reviews". CMJ New Music Report. CMJ Network, Inc. 60 (640). ISSN 0890-0795. 
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