American Pastime

American Pastime is the fourteenth album by American rock band Three Dog Night, released in 1976.

American Pastime
Studio album by
Three Dog Night
ReleasedMarch 1976
GenreDisco, soft rock
Length34:42
LabelABC
ProducerBob Monaco
Three Dog Night chronology
Coming Down Your Way
(1975)		 American Pastime
(1976)		 The Best of 3 Dog Night
(1982)
Singles from American Pastime
  1. "Everybody Is a Masterpiece"
    Released: May 1976
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic(not rated) [1]

Background

It is the band's most recent studio album (as of 2019) and the only one not to feature the founding vocalists (Danny Hutton, Chuck Negron, and Cory Wells) backed up by their long-time band, with some exceptions. It sold poorly and the band broke up in August 1976. Michael Allsup and Floyd Sneed had left the band in late 1974 to form their own group SS Fools, with former Three Dog Night member Joe Schermie, Stan Seymore, Wayne DeVillier, Bobby Kimball, and Jon Smith, to little success. Danny Hutton was fired from TDN in late 1975, and was not present for any of the recording. "Mellow Down", the song Hutton sings lead on, was recorded long before the album was released, and is likely an extra track from a previous album, such as Coming Down Your Way or Hard Labor.[2] He was replaced by Jay Gruska.

Track listing
  1. "Everybody Is a Masterpiece" (George Clinton, Richard Ira Reicheg) – 2:45
  2. "Easy Evil" (Alan O'Day) – 3:38
  3. "Billy the Kid" (Billy Lawrie, Marie Lawrie) – 3:41
  4. "Mellow Down" (Andy Fairweather-Low) – 3:00
  5. "Yellow Beach Umbrella" (Craig Doerge, Judy Henske) – 4:56
  6. "Hang On" (Jay Gruska, Jeffrey Spirit) – 4:18
  7. "Southbound" (Hoyt Axton, Mark M. Dawson) – 4:11
  8. "Drive on, Ride On" (Dobie Gray, Troy Harold Seals) – 3:32
  9. "Dance the Night Away" (Bob Carpenter, David James Holster) – 4:41

Personnel

Production
  • Producer: Bob Monaco
  • Engineer: Tony Sciarrotta, Scott Spain
  • Arranger: Three Dog Night

Reception

A Cash Box Magazine album review dated April 10, 1976, states "American Pastime takes Three Dog Night in a new direction featuring a collection of tunes ranging from slick production cuts to the ever popular disco beat. Vocals are as clean and distinctive as ever, leaning toward a meticulous pop production. AM programmers will find "Billy the Kid" and "Southbound" prime pop cuts, while "Drive On, Ride On" and "Everybody's A Masterpiece" should appeal to the growing disco market. Some cuts (witness "Easy Evil") will work nicely in easy listening and MOR areas."[3]

Another Record World "Album Picks" review page dated April 17, 1976 gives another view on the album: "This one may come as a surprise to the group's older fans. The mix still focuses on vocal harmonies but the songs are r&b and disco for the most part. "Hang On", "Mellow Down" and "Everybody Is A Masterpiece" are pacesetters, the rhythm section rising in importance as the American pastime continues to dance."[4]

Another Cash Box Magazine "Picks of The Week" singles reviews page dated June 5, 1976 states the following about "Everybody Is a Masterpiece", the single released off the album: "A laid-back rock hymn to humanity, this is an intelligent single from Three Dog Night that will serve to broaden its already extensive audience. The instrumentation — particularly the organ fills — is lush, and the vocals are equal to the task. Look for this to show up strong on all pop radio outlets; it's really an affecting tune."[5]

Another Record World "Single Picks" review page dated June 5, 1976, gives another view on the single: "Three Dog Night's vocal prowess remains unquestioned with this, their first effort in some time. To back up its talent, the group has constructed a solid rhythmic pulse and is headed for pop/r&b play."[6]

Charts

Album – Billboard (United States) | RPM (Canada)

Year Chart Position
1976 US Top LPs 123[7]
US Cash Box 155[8]
US Record World 181[9]

Singles

Year Single Chart Position
1976 "Everybody Is a Masterpiece" US Easy Listening 44[10]

References
  1. Viglione, Joe. American Pastime at AllMusic
  2. How Three Dog Night Became The Ultimate '70s Singles Band Music Aficionado article
  3. Cash Box Pop Picks album reviews
  4. Record World Album Picks April 17, 1976
  5. Cash Box Picks of The Week singles reviews
  6. Record World Single Picks
  7. Three Dog Night, Coming Down Your Way Chart Position Retrieved February 17, 2015
  8. Cash Box Magazine Top Albums May 22, 1976
  9. Record World Magazine Album Chart May 15, 1976
  10. Three Dog Night, "Everybody Is a Masterpiece" Chart Position Retrieved February 16, 2015
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