Homecoming
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Album Summary
"Homecoming" was released in 1972 on Warner Bros. Records during America's peak commercial period. The album was produced by the band alongside Jeff Barry, a renowned producer and songwriter, and was recorded in Los Angeles. It continued America's exploration of soft rock and folk-influenced pop that had made them international stars following their 1971 debut.
Reception
- The album reached #9 on the Billboard 200 chart, establishing America as a major commercial force in early 1970s rock.
- "Ventura Highway," the lead single, reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of the band's most successful singles.
- The album was certified Gold in the United States, reflecting strong commercial sales and widespread radio support.
Significance
- "Homecoming" epitomized the soft rock and country-rock crossover sound that dominated early 1970s FM radio, alongside contemporaries like the Eagles and Jackson Browne.
- The album showcased America's craftsmanship in melodic, introspective songwriting that appealed to both album-oriented rock and pop audiences.
- "Ventura Highway" became an iconic representation of the California rock aesthetic and remains one of the most recognizable songs of the decade.
Tracklist
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A1 Ventura Highway 130
3:32
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A2 To Each His Own 173
3:13
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A3 Don't Cross The River 97
2:30
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A4 Moon Song 79
3:41
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A5 Only In Your Heart 82
3:16
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B1 Till The Sun Comes Up Again 103
2:12
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B2 Cornwall Blank 125
4:19
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B3 Head & Heart —
3:49
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B4 California Revisited 81
3:03
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B5 Saturn Nights 147
3:31
Artist Details
America is a soft rock trio formed in London, England, in 1970, consisting of Dewey Bunnell, Gerry Beckley, and Dan Peek, all sons of American military personnel stationed in Britain. Drawing heavily from the acoustic folk rock sound of artists like Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Neil Young, the band crafted a distinctive style characterized by lush harmonies, introspective lyrics, and gentle acoustic guitar work. They achieved massive commercial success in the early 1970s with hits such as A Horse With No Name, Ventura Highway, and Sister Golden Hair, earning a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1973. America became one of the defining acts of the soft rock movement, their music serving as a soundtrack to the laid-back California aesthetic of that era despite their British origins. Though their popularity waned in the 1980s, they have maintained a loyal fanbase and continue to tour, cementing their legacy as enduring figures in the history of American popular music.
