American Football, also known retrospectively as LP1, is the debut studio album by the American emo band American Football. It was released on September 14, 1999, on the record label Polyvinyl. At the time of recording, the group comprised Mike Kinsella on vocals and guitar, Steve Holmes on guitar, and Steve Lamos on drums. LP1 was recorded in May 1999 at Private Studios in Urbana, Illinois, with production from Brendan Gamble.
Although LP1 received positive reviews from critics and highly performed at US college radio stations, the band split up soon after its release because the band members no longer lived in the same city. Since then, the album has attained cult status and has received further critical acclaim. It is considered one of the most important emo records of all time. A deluxe edition was released by Polyvinyl in May 2014, shortly after American Football announced their reunion, the demand for which crashed the label's website and peaked at number 68 on the US Billboard 200. A month later, a music video was released for the song "Never Meant", directed by Chris Strong, who created the cover artwork for LP1.
What a record. The riff in Never Meant is iconic for good reason, but the whole album holds up beautifully. The Summer Ends is gorgeous, You Know I Should Be Leaving Soon hits just right, and the closer wraps it all up perfectly. Peak emo done with real musicianship — the interplay between the guitars and that trumpet is something else. An absolute classic.
A landmark in emo and math-rock history, and an LP that should 100% be included in a later version of the official 1001. Anyone on the indie scene knows the iconic house and the warm yet angular tracks it contains. I’ve always been astounded by the guitar parts here, but all the instrumentals are layered and complex - watch a breakdown on the ‘Never Meant’ drums if you’re interested. Even with some crazy time signatures, the band more than evokes the quiet comfort mixed with yearning of living in a small town. I may not have grown up in the Midwest, but that feeling holds no matter the region. Great add to the list and a massive oversight it’s not on the full 1001.
Interesting music from a band I hadn't heard of before. Mostly read to me as somewhat ahead of its time indy rock. Didn't do a ton for me lyrically. But good throughout.
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