Comments for America, Hideaway

This is the album that left me baffled to realize that America wasn't charting regularly. I like the heavilly (for America) aranged songs, layered with strings etc. lots of feel good "warm and fuzzy sonds", takes me back to my late teens. Its good to know they are still around creating anew and still doing the classics as well.

Once again, I tend towards the opinion the record-buying public had at the time - not one of their better efforts. "Amber Cascades" and "Today's The Day" are good, but there's nothing outstanding here. Listenable as a whole, but it's just kind of "there." Doesn't have the melodic hooks of their earlier work.

I think this is probably their best George Martin produced album, and the record buying public must have thought well of it since it went "Gold".

Once again I agree with Mollenta.Nimitz. This album was not their best. In fact, to date, it was there worst. Unfortunately, because it came on the heals of their most popular LP (History), many people bought it, hated it, and gave up on the band. I believe that's why when they released their next few albums (which were far superior, no one cared). "Watership Down" is a nice track that is too orchestrated. "Amber Cascades" is a nice tune but makes no sence. The lyrics to "Jet Boy Blue" don't fit within the song. The only tracks worth hearing over and over are "Today's the Day", "Who Loves You" and "Lovely Night".

I know I'm out of step with some people, but this is actually my favorite America album overall. I still get chills when I hear the guitar solo in "Todays the Day" and I like the musical diversity...the rock of "She's A Liar", the grand orchestrations and vocals on "Watership Down" and the hint of reggae in "Lovely Night". Besides, being a drummer I like the fact that the drums are more up front in the mix. Willie really shines on this one! Jim...Erie,Pa

This is the AMERICA album that makes me shudder. I agree with Drummer81 that Willie DOES shine on this LP but overall the songs are really weak. "Who Loves You" is my personal fave, along with "Watership Down" but hearing "Don't Let It Get You Down" ,"Can't You See" and the vagueness of the overall lyrical content puts this AMERICA album in the back of the pack. Sorry...

This is one of my favorite America albums. Brings me back to when I was a careless teen. It has more of a rock sound on some of the numbers, while others, with the incredible lush orchestration, are just beautiful. One of my top 3 America efforts.

I've been a fan since buying the first LP in 1972. I wore out my copies of "Holiday" and "Hearts" - they were the soundtracks to my summers of 1974 and 1975 - and really looked forward to hearing "Hideaway." At the time it was a big disappointment, but of late I've reconsidered. Now, at age 41, hearing it in retrospect, I enjoy all but the instrumentals. However, I agree that it's an acquired taste and, on balance, probably America's weakest work. Looking back, it's really no surprise. The band was coming off a pair of mega-albums, an exhaustive touring schedule and, having become rich and famous, were no doubt beginning to deal with that thing articulated on Dan Fogelberg's "Netherlands" LP: "Where do you go when you get to the end of your dream?" The big difference, as I saw it, was that the songs on "Hideaway" were chilly and exclusive in lareg part, while the songs on previous LPs tended to be warm, inclusive and express a certain vulnerability. It was kind of jolting hearing Gerry, for example, singing "She's a liar" and Dewey wagging his finger at some sort of infidelity on "Letter" after such open-hearted songs as "Daisey Jane" ("Flying me back to Memphis ... honey keep the oven warm")and "Old Man Took" ("Now young man, take good care don't let the bugs bit, please be sure to say a word at night, for all your brothers feeling blue.") The songs were tuneful - if a tad overly glossy in production - on "Hideaway." But I think we can hear inspiration starting to wane in some of the forced-for-the-sake-of-rhyme lyrics and a certain LA-induced jadedness creeping into the songwriters' world view and, subsequently, lyrics. Having said all that, I've come to like "Lovely Night," "Amber Cascades," "Letter," "Watership Down," "Jet Boy Blue" and "Who Loves You?" As for "Today's the Day," it was a hit, granted, but I've rarely heard a vocalist singing a song about optimism sound so defeated. Again, dan Peek sounds like he's starting to get weary on this LP, as evidenced by the melancholy (maudlin?) "Can't You See" and the absolutely lame-o "She's Beside You." Remember, this is a guy who once wrote stuff as sublime as "Never Found the Time." Like "Harbor," flawed but fascinating. I agree with someone earlier, however, who said they believe this record robbed America of a lot of respect both inside the industry and in the marketplace. "Harbor" suffered for that, I believe, as did "Silent Letter." Lee, from Mount Laurel, N.J.

"Hideaway" remains my favorite George Martin-produced America album, despite the fact that it never charted a single hit on the level of "A Horse With No Name" or "Sister Golden Hair." The sheer appeal of songs like Beckley''s finely crafted "Watership Down" and "Who Loves You," Bunnell''s poetic "Amber Cascades" and rockin'' "Don''t Let It Get You Down," and Peek''s melodic "Can''t You See" and "Today''s the Day" should have made this one of America''s biggest selling albums. The piano and string arrangements were Martin''s best for America. Dan was in his finest hour -- which unfortunately did not carry over into "Harbor." I''d agree with naysayers who feel "Hideaway" isn''t America, at least as defined by the group''s harmonic landmark debut album. But it remains one of my top 5 America albums (along with "America," "View from the Ground," "Human Nature," and, of course, "History -- Greatest Hits").

America is still today,Dec.31 2010,a great band. They are wonderful performers and this album is a fine example of thier craft. The fact that George Martin would produce them sort of says it all.

It took me a while to really digest this album. the songs are great , But Hideaway I & II c'mon , I, Would have been enough. Dan Peeks lead on Today is the Day is sweet as well as his solo on Amber Casscades , It Amazes me that Dan wrote such beautiful melodies when he was going through such inner turmoil at this time in his life. The Letter is another favorite of mine.And Gerrys Watership Down is a Masterpiece

Hideaway is yet another marvellous America album! Very enjoyable to listen to - quality songs, super George Martin production, summer music! A strong follow up to the brilliant Hearts - America did ( do ) not make bad albums!

Hideaway is yet another marvellous America album! Very enjoyable to listen to - quality songs, super George Martin production, summer music! A strong follow up to the brilliant Hearts - America did ( do ) not make bad albums!