Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 69
 Who is America? March 17, 2000
Jason Stein (San Diego, CA United States)
39 out of 40 found this review helpful
Depending on how old you are America will mean different things. For me, it is the music of very early childhood. I was born in 1972, and I clearly remember my father listening to America. Like the Bee Gees, John Denver, Led Zeppelin and Neil Diamond, America brings up a nice, warm feeling. This greatest hits collection is all I have from them, but that's because I never felt America was an album-oriented band. All the hits are here except 1983's "You Can Do Magic." I think America is well like by the generation above me. Most people my age don't really remember America, though they remember the songs. I have read criticisms about America's music over the years, and I just don't think that "Horse With No Name" is a stupid song. Since I have to be subjected to Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Ricky Martin and a slew of faceless, nameless hip-hop rappers, I can't think of anyone who sounds like America. They don't make music or folk music like this anymore. Sometimes it's better to revisit the past when the present musical climate is geared only to 13 year olds. Hey, maybe 13 year olds should be listening to America...I mean they never sang about sex, violence and money. This is a must have for any rock collector.
5 STAR'S FROM A HARD CORE ROCKER?? June 1, 2002
James E. Lane (Joplin, mo. USA)
23 out of 24 found this review helpful
How could this happen?
To be honest with you all. In the 70's, bands like Alice Cooper, Deep Purple, Sabbath and Mahogany Rush were more to my taste.This cd, not only is it full of "the songs the radio played".
But in my opinion, the best that the group America did. Driving in the car, kicking back on the porch having a few beer's? Soft rock? At the time Seals and Croft, Carpenters, etc. were famous. The songs America was putting out had strength, power and emotional feeling's none of these other folk's could muster. Maybe it's the production? George Martin! From The Beatles fame?
WOW! How did they get him? I can see where some would compare with Neil Young, sure. "The Complete Greatest Hits" cd has all these songs with some filler's put in for lengthening the cd out. Really all you need is this cd, because coming from a Rocker's stand point. This is all the good stuff they did put out. Dan Fogelberg fans may see more in America's other music. But for someone looking for guts in their song writing?
Some of the greatest songs are right here, now.
Superb Collection! But . . . September 24, 2001
Allison E. Faulkner (Glendale Heights, IL United States)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
America is one of the very endearing groups to emerge from the early 1970's, with their tremendous folk-rock harmonies flowing through beautiful melodies into our ears and hearts. This is an outstanding collection. First released in late 1975, it skyrocketed into the top 10 of the album charts (amidst some really fierce competition at the time), attesting to the deserved popularity of this group. The collection was the best available at the time. I can't tell you how much I love these songs. Nobody can tell me that "Sister Golden Hair" isn't one of the best pop tunes ever. "Horse With No Name" is a classic that endears as much today as then. "Daisy Jane" often brings me near tears. "Tin Man" and "Lonely People" were anthems then, rightfully so, and still stand up well. And I can't forget to mention the superb "Ventura Highway" and "Sandman". A vinyl purchase for me, I wore it out big time - and I care for my albums so I don't wear them out very fast! Here's the "But" part. America has continued to record superb music since late 1975 when this album was released. They had later hits in "You Can Do Magic", "Today's The Day" and "The Border". In August 2001, Rhino released a single album "Complete Greatest Hits" for America. Having bought "Complete Greatest Hits", I would recommend it over "History" because you get ten more songs, 2 of which are brand new, and all ten worthwhile. If you can't spend a couple more dollars, buy this collection, but you'd do better to buy the new one.
Every time I listen to this CD... April 8, 2003
Kelly K. Dunn (the Heartland of the United States of America)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
I am instantly transported back to growing up in So. Cal. I know, I know, The Beach Boys are supposed to be "California" music - well maybe they are California's "Beach" music, but I remember listening to my America album. Great songs like "Ventura Highway", "Horse With No Name", "Sister Golden Hair", "Lonely People" and the other great songs on this CD - TRULY A GREAT ALBUM!
Great Collection of Their Hits! July 23, 2002
Barron Laycock (Temple, New Hampshire United States)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
No one blazed a brighter or more intense flame on the way to fame than the group America, who in their short career created a record number of top ten hits with efforts like "A Horse With No Name", "I Need You", and "Sandman". Their style of driving pop rock was infectiously simple and fun to listen to, and it still gets a lot of air-play on Fm oldies stations. This collection of their greatest hits provides a graphic illustration as to why they were so popular. Songs like "Ventura Highway" showcase their talents for snappy lyrics, a driving rhythm, and very good arrangements. So to,, songs like "Sister Golden hair" and "Tin Man" show the degree to which they played along the kind of soft rock trail that the Eagles had blazed before them. They delivered a whole raft of hits, including "Lonely People", "Daisy Jane", and "Woman Tonight", and all these are included here. While the collection is not complete, it does provide the listener with a terrific sampling of their best efforts. Enjoy!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 69
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