American Fool (180g) | Mint (M) Mint (M)

Label: Riva (2) – RVL 7501
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, 180g
Country: US
Released: Jun 10, 2016
Genre: Rock
Style: Southern Rock

A1        Hurts So Good
Written-By – G. M. Green*
3:35
A2        Jack & Diane    4:16
A3        Hand To Hold On To    3:24
A4        Danger List Written-By – Larry Crane 4:30
A5        Can You Take It    3:30
B1        Thundering Hearts Written-By – G. M. Green* 3:40
B2        China Girl Written-By – Jeff Silbar, Joe New 3:32
B3        Close Enough    3:37
B4        Weakest Moments    4:07

Personnel: John Cougar (vocals, guitar); Larry Crane, Mike Wanchic (guitar); George "Chocolate" Perry (bass); Ken Aronoff (drums). John Cougar and the American listening public became inseparable after this landmark album arrived in 1982. While AMERICAN FOOL wasn't John Cougar's first full-length recording, it was the one wherein he gained commercial and artistic footing, and established a formula that would become his trademark style--simple roots-rock melodies with stirring choruses, unguardedly emotional vocals, and lyrics that reflect the experiences of the common man. Album opener "Hurts So Good" is a playful rocker (with a dangerously catchy refrain) that has become part of the pop canon, and "Jack & Diane" is one of the great slice-of-life songs of the '80s. While both songs loom large, other overlooked treasures include "China Girl," with its cheeky faux-Chinese guitar riff, and the ballad "Weakest Moments," which blends transcendent acoustic-guitar changes with a gorgeous, careworn melody. Here and elsewhere on this well-written record, Cougar proves he's nobody's fool.

• Media Condition: Mint (M)
• Sleeve Condition: Mint (M)
• Format: Vinyl
• Genre: ROCK
• Format Type: LP
• Released: 06/10/2016