Gerry Beckley, who recently retired from the band America, released his 10th album last Friday. The self-titled album has Beckley more excited than ever before. He attributes his excitement to a few key reasons. "It's strong," he says, reflecting on the album. Unlike his previous solo work, which was often squeezed in between a hectic touring schedule, this album was created during a period of uninterrupted focus. The COVID-19 pandemic and his retirement from touring at the end of last year provided him with more time than he ever had before to concentrate on his material.
The sound of the album, Beckley reveals, is influenced by Tom Petty's Wildflowers album and, more recently, The 1975. He's been revisiting the Wall of Sound technique, using more echoes and amplifying the sound. "It might not sound like that at first, but if you were to put some headphones on and listen you start to notice little things that make the songs work," he explains. This attention to detail and the larger, more resonant sound are elements that Beckley believes make this album his best yet.
Earlier this year, in March, Beckley announced his retirement from touring with America. This decision, he shared, was something he had been contemplating for quite some time.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]