American Football: American Football


Gonna get the ball rolling for the new year with a review of a seminal 90's record, American Football's self titled.
Of all the musical genres to come out of punk, few are misunderstood more than emo. Frequently pigeonholed as the domain of whiny suburban teenagers, coated in eyeliner and appropriating the riffs and song structures of whatever old band is currently in vogue, it is still a genre capable of creating some of the most compelling music in existence, A shining example of this would be American Football, with their self-titled full length debut and sole release before breaking up.

American Football occupy the gentler side of the emo spectrum, an intricate style that began in the 90’s in Midwestern America. Their sound draws less from the explosive emotional energy of Rites Of Spring or even the more melancholy Sunny Day Real Estate, instead they take a more intricate, gentle view of things. Fugazi’s offbeat riffing, the technicality of math rock and the stop start dynamics of the post-rock scene all bear their mark on this album but American Football tie it all together with their own unique sound.  It is tender and soothing, focussed more on the aftermath and the death of intense feeling rather than being caught up in the rush of passions. This is a record about endings, about picking up the pieces, about watching the leaves fall in autumn time and remembering what was or could have been.  

The songs are a mixture of meditative numbers, full of chiming guitars and sorrowful vocals (Never Meant, I’ll See You When We’re Both Not So Emotional), longer, more sprawling cuts (Stay Home, Honestly) and a few instrumentals (You Know I Should Be Leaving, The One With The Wurlitzer). While every track stands out, they all flow masterfully together to create one brilliant cohesive whole. The vocals fall in and out of the songs, dictated more by emotion than any verse chorus verse formula. The guitarwork is technical but never obnoxiously so, the songs being allowed to breathe and meander at their own pace.. The lead lines are crisp and melodic, but never falling into typical jangly nature. While never overtly showy, the bass/drum interplay helps keep things interesting and dynamic, with a few tasty fills here and there. Overall it is the use of space within the album that contributes greatly to its atmosphere. Every instrument is given space to breathe, even some sad trumpet on a few tracks. It is what’s held back that is almost as important as what is shown.

An album that went on to attain cult status and influence much of the current emo revival going on, American Football is a true 90’s classic. If you want something to soundtrack drinking tea while it lashes rain outside, thinking of all the people you’ve rode, or shifted, or even just fancied, these Midwestern boys have just the record for you.

10/10

Standout Tracks: Never Meant, Honestly, Stay Home

For Fans Of: The World Is A Beautiful Place…, This Town Needs Guns, feelings.

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