American Football

So, here's a band that everybody should hear. American Football are one of the best bands who put out one of the best albums ever, and that's a fact.

They formed in 1997 in Champaign, Illinois and disbanded in 2000. They were a three-piece made up of Mike Kinsella (formerly of Cap'n Jazz, The One Up Downstairs, Joan Of Arc, and future member of Owls and his solo project, Owen, among others), Steve Lamos (formerly of The One Up Downstairs and others), and Steve Holmes. The three-piece rarely played shows during the existence, and only released one LP and one EP.

American Football have got to be one of the most replicated and influential bands ever. They experimented with alternate tunings, odd time signatures, and technical playing. Essentially, they fused elements of emo, indie, and math rock to create a completely original sound. The playing is very delicate, gentle, and melodic, which the layered guitars carry perfectly. They occasionally make use of a trumpet, which fits right into the band's dynamic. The drums are incredibly tight and rhythmic, and flow perfectly, even with the odd time signatures. The overall tone is very somber, somewhat nostalgic, and absolutely heart shattering. This is the kind of stuff you listen to when you're lying awake and thinking too much. This is all reinforced by Mike's soft croon, which pours out into these songs, with his heart-on-the-sleeve lyrics completely clear for all to hear. Countless bands after them would be inspired to use the same model (call it "twinkly", "midwest emo", whatever) they do, and though many amazing bands were spurred from that, I don't think any of them could quite touch the level of beauty that American Football did.

UPDATE: In 2014, the band reunited to release a deluxe edition of their self-titled album plus demos and live songs. They are also playing a handful of reunion shows and put out a video for the greatest song ever, "Never Meant".

UPDATE: It's 2016, and they've released another self-titled full-length, again on Polyvinyl.

American Football EP (1998)

1. The One With The Tambourine

2. Letters And Packages

3. Five Silent Miles 

American Football (1999)

1. Never Meant

2. The Summer Ends

3. Honestly?

4. For Sure

5. You Know I Should Be Leaving Soon

6. But The Regrets Are Killing Me

7. I'll See You When We're Both Not So Emotional

8. Stay Home

9. The One With The Wurlitzer

American Football (Deluxe Edition) (2014)

1. Never Meant

2. The Summer Ends

3. Honestly?

4. For Sure

5. You Know I Should Be Leaving Soon

6. But The Regrets Are Killing Me

7. I'll See You When We're Both Not So Emotional

8. Stay Home

9. The One With The Wurlitzer
10. Intro [Live at the Blind Pig, Champaign, IL, 1997]

11. Five Silent Miles [Live at the Blind Pig, Champaign, IL, 1997]

12. Untitled #1 (The One With the Trumpet) [Boombox Practice Session, 1998]

13. Untitled #2 [Boombox Practice Session, 1998]

14. Stay Home [Boombox Practice Session, 1998]

15. Untitled #3 [Boombox Practice Session, 1999]

16. Never Meant [4-Track Album Prep, 1999]

17. But the Regrets Are Killing Me [4-Track Album Prep, 1999]

18. I'll See You When We're Both Not So Emotional [4-Track Album Prep, 1999]

19. The 7's [Live at the Blind Pig, Champaign, IL, 1997]

American Football (LP2) (2016)

1. Where Are We Now?

2. My Instincts Are The Enemy

3. Home Is Where The Haunt Is

4. Born To Lose

5. I've Been So Lost For So Long

6. Give Me The Gun

7. I Need A Drink (Or Two Or Three)

8. Desire Gets In The Way

9. Everyone Is Dressed Up

Note: Removed for copyright infringement

American Football (LP3)

1. Silhouettes

2. Every Wave To Ever Rise (feat. Elizabeth Powell)

3. Uncomfortably Numb (feat. Hayley Williams)

4. Heir Apparent

5. Doom In Full Bloom

6. I Can't Feel You (feat. Rachel Goswell)

7. Mine To Miss

8. Life Support

Rare Symmetry / Fade Into You (2021)

1. Rare Symmetry

2. Fade Into You (Mazzy Star cover)

Polyvinyl