An American Dream
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band · 1979
37 min · 10 tracks · country music
A vibrant blend of country, rock, and folk that captures the spirit of American life in the late 1970s.
Top tracks — play these first
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An American Dream Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's ethos, blending catchy melodies with lyrics that evoke a sense of nostalgia about American ideals and aspirations.
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In Her Eyes — This track showcases the band's harmonies and lyrical storytelling, creating an intimate portrait of love and longing that resonates throughout the album.
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Take Me Back — With its reflective lyrics and melodic structure, this song evokes a yearning for simpler times, embodying the nostalgic themes prevalent in the album.
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Wolverton Mountain — A cover of the classic song that demonstrates the band’s talent for reinterpreting traditional Americana while appealing to contemporary audiences.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends genres effectively with strong melodies and skilled instrumentation, though it has some uneven pacing.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature upbeat tempos and strong melodies, while the fourth track shifts to a slower, more reflective pace.
- The title track employs a call-and-response vocal style, creating an engaging dialogue between the lead singer and backing vocals.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo sing-alongs
- nostalgic reflections on life
- feel-good party atmosphere
- vibrant energy for gatherings
- easy afternoon listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced excitement
- seek deep introspective themes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album marked the band's commercial peak and wider recognition.
- Themes
- American nostalgia· romantic longing· celebratory spirit
- Career context
- By the time 'An American Dream' was released in January 1979, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band had already established themselves with hits like 'Mr. Bojangles.' This album marked a significant moment in their career as it embraced a more polished sound while continuing to reflect their roots in traditional American music. Following their successful collaboration on 'Will the Circle Be Unbroken,' this record aimed for broader commercial appeal.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Byrds· The Eagles· New Riders of the Purple Sage
Tracklist
- 1 An American Dream Start here 3:53
- 2 In Her Eyes 4:16
- 3 Take Me Back 3:03
- 4 Jas'moon 3:27
- 5 Dance the Night Away 4:21
- 6 New Orleans 3:59
- 7 Happy Feet 3:59
- 8 Do You Feel the Way I Do 3:58
- 9 What's On Your Mind 3:44
- 10 Wolverton Mountain 3:16
What to play next
Make a Little Magic
1980
Continues the vibrant sound with a mix of country rock and pop elements.
The Dirt Band
1978
Sets the stage with a similar blend of styles and themes leading into An American Dream.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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