The American Way (album)

Although the band had maintained a record of at least one release per year since their debut, Ignorance,{{Cite web |last=Monger |first=James Christopher |title=Sacred Reich Biography |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/sacred-reich-mn0000276576 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507233735/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/sacred-reich-mn0000276576/biography |archive-date=7 May 2021 |access-date=15 November 2024 |website=AllMusic |language=en-US |quote=1987 debut, Ignorance,{{nbsp}}... on 1988's Surf Nicaragua and 1989's Alive at the Dynamo,{{nbsp}}... and in 1990 they unleashed their uncompromising sophomore full-length effort, The American Way.}}{{Webarchive|format=addlarchives|url=https://archive.today/20250112081701/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/sacred-reich-mn0000276576|title=archive.today|url2=https://megalodon.jp/2025-0112-1718-47/https://www.allmusic.com:443/artist/sacred-reich-mn0000276576|title2=Megaladon.jp|url3=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.allmusic.com%2Fartist%2Fsacred-reich-mn0000276576#federation=archive.wikiwix.com&tab=url|title3=WikiWix}} this was their first full-length album for three years and also the first to show a musical progression from the rougher sounding, punk-inspired thrash metal in their earlier material.{{Cite web |last=Henderson |first=Alex |title=The American Way {{!}} Sacred Reich |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=the-american-way-mw0000309027|pure_url=yes|first=Alex|last=Henderson|access-date=November 15, 2024}} |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722001342/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-american-way-mw0000309027 |archive-date=22 July 2023 |access-date=15 November 2024 |website=AllMusic |quote=}}{{Cite magazine |last=Atkinson |first=Peter |date=12 August 1990 |title=Off The Record |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yS5IAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA34&#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111070607/https://books.google.com/books?id=yS5IAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA34#v=onepage&q&f=false |archive-date=11 January 2025 |access-date=15 November 2024 |magazine=Record-Journal |publisher=Hearst Communications |location=Meriden, Connecticut |page=34 |language=en |issn=1091-6946 |oclc=1333824778 |quote=}} The album features slower tracks in favor of a more diverse tempo and tone and makes less use of techniques like double bass pedals and shredding, while still retaining elements of punk and hardcore punk. The band had also become more experienced; Greg Hall's drumming improved and is particularly praised on the album,{{Cite book |last=Larkin |first=Colin |author-link=Colin Larkin |url= |title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |publisher=Guinness Publishing |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-19-531373-4 |edition=4th |location=Enfield |page=307 |language=en |lccn=2006018335 |oclc=70062973 |ol=7392952M |url-access= |ol-access=free}} and the band's performance as a group had improved significantly; writer Damien Chaney described it as "a group in full possession of its means{{nbsp}}... without any real individuality that would stifle the others."{{Cite book |last=Chaney |first=Damien |title=Camion Blanc: État Des Lieux Des Muisuqes Extrêmes |last2=Petite |first2=Antoine |last3=Chaney |first3=Ludovic |date=December 15, 2011 |publisher=Camion Blanc |isbn=978-2-35779-448-1 |language=fr |trans-title=Camion Blanc: State of the Extreme Music Scene |asin=B00H2EQC40 |asin-tld=co.uk |oclc=778422377 |ol=57645474M |quote=(...){{nbsp}}On ye decovoure un groupe en pleine en possesion des moyens, homogène, sans vraiment d'individualité qui éttouferait les autres.{{nbsp}}(...)}} Phil Rind's vocal performance progressed with more confidence, clarity, and use of vocal range. The album has been described as having a dark and somber tone because its sociopolitical lyrics. Similar to previous releases, the lyrics and theme of the album focused heavily on political and social issues but progressed towards a personal direction. In the album's liner notes, Phil Rind explains the band's change in musical direction:

"Lyrically, I think it is a little more personal than either Ignorance or Surf Nicaragua. Although there are some political songs/overtones, we've tried to deal more with people than political systems.{{nbsp}}... Musically, we've tried to expand our horizons without forgetting our roots. Some people will appreciate the changes. Others, let's just say, they'd be satisfied with 'Ignorance II'."{{Cite AV media notes |last=Rind |first=Phil |title=The American Way |type=Liner notes |year=1990 |publisher=Metal Blade Records |mode=cs1}}

The band worked with producer Bill Metoyer, who previously worked with Flotsam and Jetsam, DRI, and Slayer.{{Cite news |date=4 February 1989 |title=Audio Track |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1989/1989-02-04-Billboard-Page-0051.pdf#search=%22sacred%20reich%22 |access-date=18 November 2024 |work=Billboard |pages=51 |quote=Bill Metoyer (Flotsam & Jetsam, DRI, Slayer) ... and recorded and mixed the latest album for Heretic, Sacred Reich...}} The album title was originally named "Crimes Against Humanity" after the fourth track but was changed to "The American Way".

The title track, "The American Way", expresses issues with American society. The fourth track, "Crimes Against Humanity", focuses on pollution and environmental destruction. "State of Emergency" is an anti-apartheid song. "Who's To Blame" is about blaming teenage suicide on rock music. The closing track, "31 Flavors", is a funk rock song, with lyrical themes of open-mindedness and musical variety; encouraging fans of metal to expand their musical scope. The song was chosen as the promotional song for radio play, despite being "unrepresentative" of the rest of the album.{{Cite book |last=Sharpe-Young |first=Garry |url= |title=Metal: The Definitive Guide : Heavy, NWOBH, Progressive, Thrash, Death, Black, Gothic, Doom, Nu |date=2007 |publisher=Jawbone Press |others=Doe, Bernard (consultant) |isbn=978-1-906002-01-5 |editor-last=McIver |editor-first=Joel |editor-link=Joel McIver |page=138 |oclc=123366186 |ol=8776949M}}

{{Track listing

| all_writing = Phil Rind, except where noted

| headline = Side A

| title1 = Love... Hate

| writer1 = Rind, Wiley Arnett

| length1 = 4:08

| title2 = The American Way

| writer2 = Rind, Arnett

| length2 = 3:41

| title3 = The Way It Is

| length3 = 4:58

| title4 = Crimes Against Humanity

| length4 = 6:17

}}

{{Track listing

| total_length = 35:45

| headline = Side B

| title5 = State of Emergency

| length5 = 6:20

| title6 = Who's To Blame

| length6 = 3:40

| title7 = I Don't Know

| length7 = 3:14

| title8 = 31 Flavors

| writer8 = Rind, Arnett

| length8 = 3:27

}}

{{Track listing

|total_length = 56:51

| headline = Remastered edition bonus tracks

| title1 = The American Way

| note1 = Pre-Production Demo

| length1 = 3:29

| title2 = Love...Hate

| note2 = Pre-Production Demo

| length2 = 3:56

| title3 = Crimes Against Humanity

| note3 = Pre-Production Demo

| length3 = 5:35

| title4 = State of Emergency

| note4 = Pre-Production Demo

| length4 = 4:39

| title5 = I Don't Know

| note5 = Pre-Production Demo

| length5 = 2:55

| title6 = 31 Flavors

| note6 = Pre-Production Demo

| length6 = 0:31

}}

Adapted from the album's liner notes.

• Phil Rind – bass, vocals
• Wiley Arnett – lead guitar
• Jason Rainey – rhythm guitar
• Greg Hall – drums
• The Unity Horns – horns on "31 Flavors"
• Tony Brewster – trumpet
• Will Donato – saxophone
• Tim Moynahan – trombone
• Recorded and mixed in 1989–1990 in California, U.S. at Cornerstone Recorders with additional recording at Track Records
• Produced by Bill Metoyer and Sacred Reich
• Engineered by Bill Metoyer
• Assistant engineered by Scott Campbell
• Artwork by Paul Stottler

{{Reflist}}

• [https://sacredreichofficial.bandcamp.com/album/the-american-way The American Way] on Bandcamp

{{Sacred Reich}}

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Category:1990 albums

Category:Sacred Reich albums

Category:Metal Blade Records albums

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