The years have only been kind to the album considered
David Ackles' masterpiece when it was released.
Ackles combined an early-'70s singer/songwriter sensibility with a theater music background that placed him as much in the tradition of
Brecht-
Weill and
Jacques Brel as
Bob Dylan. Not only are his songs fully realized, dramatic statements, but
Ackles proves himself a warm, accomplished singer. When this album got no higher than #167 in the charts,
Ackles' fans were heartbroken. Decades later,
American Gothic remains one of those great albums that never found its audience. It waits to be rediscovered. ~ William Ruhlmann