United States of America (1968)

United States of America recorded one album, this eponymous piece from the politically turbulent year of 1968. A few months after the release, the band split up because of differing ideas about the band's future direction, this has surely helped the album achieve a somewhat mythical status. Personally, I for some years cherished the hope of finding this album used, an original from 1968, but none of Montreal's record shops could deliver. I guess I was naive, in the end I  bought a reissue.

The original came wrapped (as did my reissue)

The band's leader, Joe Byrd, leaned towards an avant-garde direction and wanted the group to deliver musical and political radicalism combined with performance art. Other members were Dorothy Moskowitz, Gordon Marron, Rand Forbes and Craig Woodson. The focus Byrd had might scare some people, but the music is not at all difficult. The album received OK reviews when it was released, but over the years people's opinion obviously has escalated, for now it's hailed in the most different contexts.

The music is like a mix of early Pink Floyd à la Barrett, Jefferson Airplane, The Moody Blues and maybe some Beatles. Most Jefferson Airplane, according to me. Maybe it's because Dorothy sings on many of the songs which creates some Grace Slick vibes.

The opening song, The American Metaphysical Circus is my favorite number, a song that would have fit well at A Piper at the Gates of Dawn. There are lots of electronic effects in this and in many of the other songs. This is not always great when it comes to music from the late 60's since the electronics wasn't so developed, sometimes it can sound a little too primitive, somewhat cheap. United States of America may touch at times at this, but generally I think the electronic effects contribute to make it fun to listen to the album. Sure, we hear that this is yesterday's technology, but it doesn't matter so much.

And I imagine they had fun when they made this record, lots of experimenting and the songs offer many different styles. It feels like the pop/rock music during that time still was largely unexplored land, and the bands were competing to find new paths. And record companies allowed them to experiment relatively freely. Those were the days.

A nice album, simply put. I might not sing along in the choirs that celebrate the record as a masterpiece, but it has absolutely its place in the collection and get a rating above average. A recommendation if you like the 60s music, preferably with a psychedelic touch.


Tracklist

Side A
1. The American Metaphysical Circus 4:55
2. Hard Coming Love 4:43
3. Cloud Song 3:18
4. The Garden of Earthly Delights 2:39
5. I Will not Leave My Wooden Wife For You, Sugar 3:52

Side B
1. Where Is Yesterday 3:07
2. Coming Down 2:40
3. Love Song For The Dead Che3: 25
4. Stranded In Time 1:50
5. The American Way of Love 6: