America - Hideaway (1976)

"Hideaway" is the sixth original studio album by American folk rock trio America, released by Warner Bros. Records in April 1976. The album was produced by legendary Beatles producer George Martin.

For those who think of America as purveyors of airily pleasant, driving-with-the-windows down folk-rock songs, this one may be a jolt. On the wintry "Hideaway" from 1976, Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell and Dan Peek continue to grow away from the relative acoustic simplicity of their earlier LPs in favor of a more lush and ornate pop sound. But unlike 1974's Holiday LP, which was an earlier foray into Beatle-esque, Magical-Mystery-Tour-era ornamentation, the stepped up production flourishes here don't always work to advantage.

Virtually all of the songs are loaded, overloaded? with vocal harmonies, horns and strings. That's not to say "Hideaway" is lacking in good songs. "Letter," "Amber Cascades," "Jet Boy Blue" and "Lovely Night," for example, are pop tunes whose hooks eventually sink in. Likewise, the ballads "Can't You See" and "Who Loves You" have their charm after a while. But casual listeners should beware: the gauzy vocal arrangements can sometimes obtrude, as can the abundant horns and strings. Also, there are two orchestral instrumentals credited to producer George Martin. Finally, there is something between the lines here that feels different a kind of lyrical solemnity that is new, at least in such quantity.

Track listing

01.  Lovely Night  (Gerry Beckley)  - 2:33

02.  Amber Cascades  (Dewey Bunnell)  - 2:51

03.  Don't Let It Get You Down  (Dewey Bunnell)  - 2:58

04.  Can't You See  (Dan Peek)  - 2:23

05.  Watership Down  (Gerry Beckley)  - 4:57

06.  She's Beside You  (Dan Peek)  - 2:58

07.  Hideaway Part I  (Dewey Bunnell)  - 1:32

08.  She's A Liar  (Gerry Beckley)  - 3:30

09.  Letter  (Dewey Bunnell) - 3:06

10.  Today's the Day  (Dan Peek)  - 3:15

11.  Jet Boy Blue  (Dan and Catherine Peek)  - 3:23

12.  Who Loves You  (Gerry Beckley)  - 4:33

13.  Hideaway Part II  (Dewey Bunnell)  - 2:00

Released:  April 9, 1976

Recorded at:  Caribou Ranch, Nederland, Colorado, February 1976

Genre:  Pop, Rock

Label:  Warner Bros.

Producer:  George Martin

Personnel

Dewey Bunnell - vocal, guitar, drums

Dean Peek - Vocals, guitar

Gerry Beckley - vocal, guitar, keyboard

George Martin – piano