What makes American Music by The Blasters notable?

American Music received critical acclaim for its authentic sound and energetic performances, helping to reinvigorate interest in rockabilly during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The album's title track became a staple in their live shows and contributed to their growing reputation within the roots rock movement. Released in 1980, American Music was The Blasters' debut album, establishing them as a significant force in the revival of rockabilly music. At this point, the band was emerging from the Los Angeles punk scene, seeking to bring traditional sounds to a new audience.

How many songs are on American Music?

American Music has 19 tracks, running approximately 46 minutes.

American Music

The Blasters · 1980

46 min · 19 tracks · rockabilly

A vibrant blend of rockabilly rhythms and heartfelt storytelling that captures the essence of American musical roots.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
American Music — The title track encapsulates the band's mission, merging nostalgic themes with lively instrumentation that invites listeners into their world.
→
Marie, Marie — This song stands out with its catchy melody and engaging narrative, showcasing the band's ability to blend storytelling with infectious rhythm.
→
21 Days in Jail — Combining humor and poignant reflection, this track highlights The Blasters’ knack for storytelling while maintaining an upbeat tempo that energizes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and energetic performances, establishing The Blasters in the rockabilly revival.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that sets a lively tempo, followed by several tracks that maintain a consistent rockabilly rhythm.
Many songs feature prominent guitar solos and energetic drumming, typical of the rockabilly genre.
Several tracks incorporate call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the communal feel of the music.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 American Music 2:12
2 Real Rock Drive 2:05
3 Barefoot Rock 2:21
4 I Don’t Want To 1:58
5 Marie, Marie 2:04
6 I Wish You Would 2:42
7 She Ain’t Got the Beat 1:32
8 Flat Top Joint 2:29
9 Crazy Baby 2:27
10 Never No More Blues 2:48
11 Buzz Buzz Buzz 2:07
12 She’s Gone Away 2:27
13 Barn Burning 3:38
14 21 Days in Jail 2:14
15 Love 24 Hours a Day 3:12
16 I Fell in Love 1:59
17 So Glad 2:21
18 Ashamed of Myself 2:26
19 Lone Wolf 3:19

What to play next

Listen next

The Blasters

1981

Full The Blasters discography Artists like The Blasters

rockabilly

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata