Although traces of soul, rock, folk, gospel, blues and country can be found througout the record, the songs go well beyond the normally accepted boundaries of "pop music". Avant-garde and classical influences pervade Ackles's elaborate arrangements, and his background in musical theatre casts its shadow over everything. But even though it's complex music it's very melodic and so indescriably beautiful. It's such a tradegy that this record is so forgotten (and his other albums for that matter).

I'd put "American Gothic" in the same league as "Pet Sounds", "Revolver" and "Astral Weeks". Get this record today and be changed forever!


Superb American Artistry   May 9, 2004
 7 out of 8 found this review helpful

One of the two brilliant albums the late David Ackles produced in the 1970s (the other being "Five & Dime" on Columbia, just released on CD in Oct 2004 by Raven), "American Gothic" offers some of the most insightful, touching, and humorous songs of the past 40 years. Love songs don't get any better than "Love's Enough" or "One Night Stand." "Waiting for the Moving Van" really captures the heartbreak of divorce. " Oh, California!" and "Blues for Billy Whitecloud" foreshadow the satire of "Surf's Down" on "Five & Dime." "American Gothic" and "Ballad of the Ship of State" are as timely today was they were during the Viet Nam War. It's a shame that "American Gothic" has not been more widely heard; it's a great shame that Mr. Ackles died of cancer on March 2, 1999.


Brilliant and tough to pigeonhole   October 20, 2003
 6 out of 7 found this review helpful

No wonder people scratched their heads over this one back in the early '70s. Ackles' musical sources are mostly non-rock - Jacques Brel, Brecht-Weill, Aaron Copland, and Charles Ives, among others - while lyric-wise he explores the same American-grotesque territory mapped out by Hawthorne, Melville, and Poe. And it's GREAT - moving, funny, creepy, inspiring, haunting by turns. And very American in its concerns, its cranky individualism, and its insistence on plundering good ideas wherever they may be found.


to die for...   May 14, 2004
 4 out of 5 found this review helpful

Utterly wonderful. If Sinatra had only heard Love`s Enough, he would certainly have recorded it, had a huge hit, and earnt Mr Ackles some richly deserved dosh.
This man was a genius. Don`t forget him. Along with Tims Hardin & Buckley he wrote & sang songs to die for.


Very different and very good   July 23, 2008
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

I first heard "Montana Song" as a kid in the 70's. I never knew what album the song came from until just recently. When I found the download available, I grabbed it, I admit griping a bit because I was unsure whether I'd care for the rest of the album or not.

'Different' is just the beginning of the description for this album. If you're reading Bernie Taupin production and expecting rock, this is much more orchestral. Consider that most of the sidemen on this collection are from the London Philharmonic. Actually, this CD could be easily made into a Broadway play.

Favorites, obviously "Montana Song." "Ship of State" is as timely take on the American political scene today as it was in the 70s. Then, there's "American Gothic" itself. "Billy Whitecloud" talks about the city experiences of a rez Indian coming to town.

The artist may be an acquired taste, but I can tell you, I've had that taste for 30 years and it's still good. Give the selections a listen and see what you think.

Rebecca Kyle, July 2008