| American Kid | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | May 7, 2013 (2013-5-7) | |||
| Recorded | 2012 | |||
| Studio | Zebra Ranch Studio G! | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 46:35 | |||
| Label | New West Records | |||
| Producer |
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| Patty Griffin chronology | ||||
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American Kid is the seventh studio album byAmerican singer-songwriterPatty Griffin, released byNew West Records on May 7, 2013. It was recorded inMemphis, Tennessee. Griffin recorded the album as a tribute to her late father.[1]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [2] |
| American Songwriter |  [3][4] |
| Blurt | [5] |
| The Daily Telegraph | [6] |
| Exclaim! | 8/10[7] |
| The Independent | [8] |
| musicOMH | [9] |
| The Observer | [10] |
| Paste | 9/10[11] |
| Rolling Stone | [12] |
| Uncut | 7/10[13] |
The album was universally acclaimed by music critics. OnMetacritic, it has aweighted average score of 85/100 based on reviews from 15 critics,[14] and on AnyDecentMusic?, it has a weighted average rating of 8.5/10 based on reviews from 12 critics.[15]
Jim Beviglia ofAmerican Songwriter proclaimed the album to be "a tour de force of nimble songwriting and emotional performances",[3] and Hal Horowitz, also ofAmerican Songwriter, said the album contains "shimmering music you won't soon forget."[4] Martin Chilton ofThe Daily Telegraph wrote that "American Kid is a triumph of songwriting and expressive singing."[6] Jordan Mainzer ofmusicOMH called the album "one of the best albums of the year so far",[9] Neil Spencer ofThe Observer called it "a triumph",[10] and Nick Coleman ofThe Independent called it "a compelling experience."[8]
Thom Jurek concluded his review forAllmusic by stating that, "With its immediacy, economy, cagey strength, and vulnerability, Griffin delivers these 12 songs not as gifts or statements, but as her own evidence of what is, what was, and what yet may come."[2] Steve Pick ofBlurt called the album "perhaps" Griffin's "finest hour."[5] Jason Schneider ofExclaim! said the album "puts the full range of [Griffin's] talent on display."[7] Holly Gleason ofPaste wrote that, on the album, Griffin was expressing "emotional truths" and "cutting to the quick," and that her "razor-sharp sense of detail has never been sharper".[11]Will Hermes ofRolling Stone noted that "it's clear [Griffin's] writing remains as surprising as it is masterful."[12] Rob Hughes ofUncut called the album "a bewitching piece of work, with or without the hired help", due to Griffin's "elegant phrasing and nuanced delivery", and said it "manages to sound deeply affectionate without being sentimental."[13]
All tracks are written byPatty Griffin, except where noted
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Go Wherever You Wanna Go" | 3:46 | |
| 2. | "Don't Let Me Die in Florida" | 3:46 | |
| 3. | "Ohio" | 5:12 | |
| 4. | "Wild Old Dog" | 4:47 | |
| 5. | "Mom & Dad's Waltz" | Lefty Frizzell | 2:55 |
| 6. | "Faithful Son" | 4:54 | |
| 7. | "Highway Song" |
| 3:13 |
| 8. | "That Kind of Lonely" | 4:22 | |
| 9. | "Irish Boy" | 2:47 | |
| 10. | "Get Ready Marie" | 3:00 | |
| 11. | "Not a Bad Man" | 3:48 | |
| 12. | "Gonna Miss You When You're Gone" | 4:05 | |
| Total length: | 46:35 | ||
| Chart (2013) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| USBillboard 200[16] | 36 |
| US Folk Albums (Billboard)[17] | 4 |
| USIndependent Albums (Billboard)[18] | 5 |
| USTop Rock Albums (Billboard)[19] | 11 |
| USTop Tastemaker Albums (Billboard)[20] | 3 |
