Album Review: American Football – American Football (1999)

The album American Football was released in 1999 and became an important album within the Midwest emo genre. The album mixes guitar melodies, slightly jazzy rhythms, and nostalgic lyrics. At first it was mostly a cult favorite, but later it became a very influential indie album during the 2000s.

The music on the album features many calm guitars playing together, and sometimes unusual time signatures are used. Instead of relying on heavy distortion, the band builds emotion through quiet sections and small changes in the music.

“Never Meant”
The album’s most famous song
Has a very well-known guitar intro
Is about relationships and regret

“The Summer Ends”
A slow and somewhat sad song
Is about nostalgia and youth

“Honestly?”
A bit more energetic than the other songs
Shows influences from math rock

Many of the songs on the album are about looking back on moments and feelings in life. The lyrics feel quite personal and sometimes almost like a conversation.

The band split up shortly after the album was released, but later the album became very important for emo music again when the genre had a new wave in the 2010s.

⭐ Rating: 9/10

Conclusion: American Football is a calm but emotional album that shows music doesn’t have to be loud to be good.

Listen to the album 🎧