"Our friends in the group Chicago, they just numbered theirs and we thought that was kind of neat but it made continuity from album to album and that was our way of doing it"

In this quote, Gerry Beckley, a founding member of the band America, is reflecting on a specific approach to album identifying and how their style was affected by another band, Chicago. Initially, it's essential to comprehend the context and practices of album calling conventions. Chicago, another prominent band that rose to fame in the late 1960s and early 1970s, had a distinct approach to naming their albums by utilizing successive numbers (e.g., Chicago II, Chicago III, and so on). This technique established a clear, linear series that made it simple for fans to follow the band's discography, supplying a sense of continuity and identity.

Beckley shows affection for this simpleness and clarity, noting it as an inspired technique. When he mentions, "we thought that was kind of cool", he conveys a sense of appreciation for its straightforwardness. The word "neat" recommends that he discovered this approach elegantly simple and reliable. It removed the need for detailed or thematic album titles, permitting the music to promote itself while still preserving a cohesive collection.

Continuity is important in any creative undertaking, as it assists develop a band's brand and creative instructions. For America, adopting a similar method allowed them to maintain cohesiveness in their discography. Even if America did not follow their specific numbering system to the letter, the principle of continuity resonated with them. Beckley's reference to "our way of doing it" recommends that America was looking for a coherent technique of their own influenced by Chicago's example, emphasizing the significance of having a consistent thread going through an artist's body of work.

In conclusion, this quote catches a minute of creative impact and recognition in between two iconic bands. It highlights the affection and adjustment of a practice that, while simple, effectively added to the enduring tradition and identity of each group's discography.