American Football

Polyvinyl Records and American Football’s May 20th, 2014 reissue of the Chicago/Urbana, IL trio’s seminal self-titled 1999 release debuted at #68 on the Billboard 200 charts. An amazing feat for an album that never went out of print and has remained one of Polyvinyl’s most consistent sellers.

Following this release, the band reunited for their first live shows since disbanding 15 years ago, playing three sold-out (in under 24 hours) shows at Webster Hall in New York City and sold-out shows in Los Angeles and San Francisco. The entire UK tour this May is sold-out (seven shows) as well as Tokyo following suit.

Though the trio — Mike Kinsella (Cap’n Jazz, Owen, Owls), Steve Lamos, and Steve Holmes — only played a few shows and released just one other record (a three-song EP that preceded this full-length), their influence and legacy has steadily continued to grow in the time after they disbanded. From its now iconic artwork to the band’s unique songwriting approach (highlighted by an emphasis on shifting time signatures and sincere lyrics), American Football proves a record doesn’t become a true classic through flashiness or catering to trends, but rather the deep emotional connection it forges between the music and the listener.