American Thighs
1994 studio album by Veruca Salt
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American Thighs is the debut studio album by American alternative rock band Veruca Salt, released on September 27, 1994.[3] The album features the single "Seether".
| American Thighs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 27, 1994 | |||
| Studio | Idful, Chicago, Illinois | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 52:24 | |||
| Label | Minty Fresh | |||
| Producer | Brad Wood | |||
| Veruca Salt chronology | ||||
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| Singles from American Thighs | ||||
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Background and release
Singer-guitarists Nina Gordon and Louise Post started working together in 1992.[4] They eventually formed Veruca Salt with bassist Steve Lack and drummer Jim Shapiro, and the four had been a full band less than a year when they signed with the independent label Minty Fresh.[5] In 1994, they released the single "Seether"/"All Hail Me". "Seether" became a hit on college and alternative radio stations, and the band recorded the album American Thighs with producer Brad Wood.[4][5] The album was released through Minty Fresh on September 27, 1994, the title is a reference to a line from the AC/DC song "You Shook Me All Night Long".[6][7]
Veruca Salt then signed with the major label Geffen Records, which re-released the album. "Seether" became a hit on MTV. Two more singles, "Number One Blind" and "Victrola", were released from the album, but neither matched the success of "Seether". American Thighs was eventually certified gold.[4][8]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [9] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [10] |
| MusicHound Rock | [11] |
| NME | 7/10[12] |
| Rolling Stone | [13] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [14] |
| The Village Voice | A−[15] |
American Thighs received generally positive reviews from critics. Nick Kelly of Hot Press said, "Given that this is their first record, you can't help asking yourself how a band so young can sing songs so good."[16] Eric Gladstone of CMJ New Music Monthly wrote that "the album works an infectious formula: thick harmonies layered over attack-formation guitars and drums, with lyrics shifting from childlike innocence to guiltless brutality."[5] Spin ranked it number 8 on its list of the 20 best albums of 1994.[17]
Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic called American Thighs "a pure pop album masquerading as the next big thing."[9] In 2014, Rolling Stone ranked it number 21 on its list of the 40 best alternative rock albums of 1994.[18]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Get Back" | Nina Gordon | 3:12 |
| 2. | "All Hail Me" | Louise Post | 3:05 |
| 3. | "Seether" | Gordon | 3:16 |
| 4. | "Spiderman '79" | Post | 5:16 |
| 5. | "Forsythia" | Gordon | 4:45 |
| 6. | "Wolf" | Post | 4:19 |
| 7. | "Celebrate You" | Post | 4:20 |
| 8. | "Fly" | Post | 3:38 |
| 9. | "Number One Blind" |
| 3:43 |
| 10. | "Victrola" | Post | 2:19 |
| 11. | "Twinstar" | Gordon | 3:16 |
| 12. | "25" | Gordon | 7:56 |
| 13. | "Sleeping Where I Want" (CD release only) | Gordon | 3:19 |
| Total length: | 52:24 | ||
Personnel
Credits adapted from liner notes.
Veruca Salt
- Nina Gordon – guitar, vocals
- Louise Post – guitar, vocals
- Steve Lack – bass guitar
- Jim Shapiro – drums, background vocals
Additional musicians
- Christian Lane – additional vocals (on "Victrola")
Production
- Brad Wood – production, recording, mixing
- Casey Rice – additional engineering
- John McEntire – additional engineering
- Roger Seibel – mastering
Charts
| Chart (1994–95) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[19] | 26 |
| Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[20] | 44 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[21] | 83 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[22] | 47 |
| UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[23] | 2 |
| US Billboard 200[24] | 69 |
| US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[25] | 1 |