American Football (2016 album)

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American Football
Studio album by
American Football
ReleasedOctober 21, 2016 (2016-10-21)
RecordedApril 2016
StudioARC Studios, Omaha, Nebraska; SHIRK Studios, Chicago, Illinois
Genre
Length37:58
LabelPolyvinyl
ProducerAmerican Football, Jason Cupp
American Football chronology
American Football
(1999) 		American Football
(2016) 		American Football
(2019)
Singles from American Football
  1. "Desire Gets in the Way"
    Released: October 5, 2016

American Football (also known as LP2) is the eponymous second studio album by American rock band American Football, released on October 21, 2016 through Polyvinyl. It was the band's first release since their debut self-titled album American Football in September 1999 and disbandment in 2000. In April 2014, American Football announced they would be reforming after fifteen years for a number of live performances, playing shows through the year and into 2015. In early 2016, American Football began recording the second album with Jason Cupp at ARC Studios in Omaha, Nebraska, and at SHIRK Studios in Chicago, Illinois.

Background[edit]

American Football released their debut self-titled album in September 1999 through Polyvinyl.[3] The band broke up due to the members no longer living in the same city[4] and their college courses coming to an end.[5] Vocalist/guitarist Mike Kinsella said that they "never had any ambitious goals. [...] we weren't kids who wanted to [...] tour all summer."[6] Kinsella and guitarist Steve Holmes both moved to Chicago and remained in contact at first.[5] Meanwhile, drummer Steve Lamos moved to Colorado, later becoming a professor.[5] Kinsella wanted to form a new group where he had full creative control, eventually creating the project Owen.[4]

In April 2014 American Football announced they were reuniting for live performances. Holmes said the group realized 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."[7] American Football, with the addition of Kinsella's cousin Nate playing bass, played a surprise show in August in Chicago.[8] They then followed this up with playing a festival in September, then three shows in New York.[9] Further dates running into December were also played,[8] as well as the band's first UK shows the following May.[10]

The album's cover artwork depicts the interior of the American Football House, the same house featured on the cover of the band's 1999 debut album.[11]

Composition[edit]

The majority of the group's songs are created from Kinsella and Holmes' intertwining guitar parts.[12] Kinsella described "Give Me the Gun" as "just me checking in on a distressed loved one done in my best Bernard Sumner impersonation".[12]

Recording[edit]

The album was recorded in April 2016 at ARC Studios, located in Omaha, Nebraska, and SHIRK Studios, located in Chicago, Illinois.[13] Production duties were handled by the group and Jason Cupp.[14]

Release[edit]

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.[14] On September 7, "Give Me the Gun" was made available for streaming.[12] "Desire Gets in the Way" was released to radio on October 5.[15] American Football was released on October 21 through Polyvinyl in the U.S. and through Wichita in Europe.[14] The group performed a series of release shows in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and London.[13] The cover of the album was the interior of the same house as featured on their eponymous debut album or best known as "American Football house".

Reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?7.4/10[16]
Metacritic78/100[17]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[18]
Consequence of SoundB+[19]
Pitchfork7.7/10[1]
The Guardian[20]

American Football received positive reviews from critics. Review aggregation website Metacritic assigned a normalized score of 78/100, indicating "generally favorable reviews", based on 19 critic reviews.[17]

Accolades[edit]

Publication Accolade Year Rank
The Skinny Top 50 Albums of 2016 2016
45[21]

Track listing[edit]

American Football track listing
No.TitleLength
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
Total length:37:58
Japanese bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
10."Letters & Packages" (live in Tokyo)3:36
11."You Know I Should Be Leaving Soon" (live in Tokyo)4:26

Charts[edit]

Chart performance for American Football
Chart (2016) Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC)[22] 71
US Billboard 200[23] 82
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[24] 14
US Billboard Vinyl Albums[25] 1

References[edit]

Citations
  1. ^ a b Cohen, Ian. "American Football - American Football". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 29 November 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  2. ^ "American Football's homecoming is one worth celebrating | Indiana Daily Student". Archived from the original on 2016-12-25. Retrieved 2016-12-24.
  3. ^ Jacks 1999, p. 24
  4. ^ a b Gormely, Ian (May 6, 2014). "Tim & Mike Kinsella". exclaim.ca. Archived from the original on June 15, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  5. ^ a b c 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. Archived from the original on June 17, 2015. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  6. ^ Martell, Nevin (June 11, 2014). "FILTER Magazine - Exclusives - You Should Already Know: American Football". filtermagazine.com. Archived from the original on June 15, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  7. ^ Minsker, Evan (April 21, 2014). "American Football Reunite for First Shows in 15 Years". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on May 31, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  8. ^ a b Kivel, Adam (September 11, 2014). "The 25 Most Anticipated Tours of Fall 2014". Consequence of Sound. p. 22. Archived from the original on June 19, 2015. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  9. ^ Richards, Will (January 6, 2015). "American Football reclaim their throne: "Reunion? We never did this first time around!"". DIY. Archived from the original on June 15, 2015. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  10. ^ Murray, Robin (November 20, 2014). "American Football Announce First Ever UK Shows". Clash Magazine. Archived from the original on June 15, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  11. ^ Strauss, Matthew (5 May 2023). "American Football Now Own Their Debut Album Cover House". Pitchfork. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  12. ^ a b c Gotrich, Lars (September 7, 2016). "The One With The Vibraphone: Hear American Football's 'Give Me The Gun'". NPR. Archived from the original on September 7, 2016. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  13. ^ a b Hilton, Robin (August 23, 2016). "American Football Announce First Record In 17 Years, Hear A New Song Now". NPR. Archived from the original on September 7, 2016. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  14. ^ a b c Minsker, Evan (August 23, 2016). "American Football Announce First New Album in 17 Years, Share New Song: Listen". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  15. ^ "FMQB Airplay Archive: SubModern Rock". Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Incorporated. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  16. ^ "American Football by American Football reviews | Any Decent Music". Archived from the original on 2016-12-25. Retrieved 2016-12-24.
  17. ^ a b "American Football (LP2)". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 24 October 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  18. ^ Sendra, Tim. "American Football - American Football [2016]". Allmusic. Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  19. ^ Brennan, Collin (18 October 2016). "American Football – American Football". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on 20 October 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  20. ^ Mumford, Gwilym (20 October 2016). "American Football: American Football review – a twinkling trip into emo's past". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  21. ^ "Top 50 Albums of 2016". The Skinny. December 1, 2016. Archived from the original on December 2, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  22. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
  23. ^ "American Football Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
  24. ^ "American Football Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
  25. ^ "Vinyl Albums : November 12, 2016". billboard.com. Archived from the original on December 31, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
Sources
  • Jacks, Kelso (25 Oct 1999). "Reviews". CMJ New Music Report. 60 (640). CMJ Network, Inc. ISSN 0890-0795.
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