II is the second studio album by the American rock band The Presidents of the United States of America. It was released via Columbia Records on November 5, 1996, coinciding with the United States presidential election.

Background The album included a few songs that originally appeared on Froggystyle, a self-released cassette that was recorded before their debut album, The Presidents of the United States of America. These songs, which were re-recorded for this album, were "L.I.P", then known as "Little Indian Princess", "Lunatic to Love" and "Puffy Little Shoes". Also, "Twig" was re-recorded, as it was previously recorded as a B-side to a "Lump" single, where it was known as "Twig in the Wind". That version was later released on Rarities as "Twig (Semi Acoustic Version)".

Track listing All songs by The Presidents of the United States of America.

"Basketball Dream" features a boy, Tony Ballew (a relative of Chris Ballew), describing a dream he had about Magic Johnson - for this reason, the track is often mislabeled "Magic Johnson Dream". Chris Ballew can be heard faintly whispering the lyrics underneath the boy. The recording of Tony's voice, with a different musical backing, previously appeared on Feel Good, an album by Ballew's pre-PUSA band Egg, in 1989. The same recording from Feel Good was first released on the self-titled album by The Dukes o' Pop, another pre-PUSA project of Ballew's, in 1987.

Personnel The Presidents of the United States of America Chris Ballew – basitar, bass, lead vocals, keyboards Dave Dederer – guitbass, guitar, background vocals Jason Finn – drums, percussion, background vocals

Additional personnel Dave Thiele – piano, percussion Tony Ballew – baby voice on "Basketball Dream" Mark Sandman – tritar on "Froggie" S. Craig Montgomery – co-producing, engineering Wally Traugott – mastering Lance Mercer – photography Jerry Finn – mixing Doug Erb – art directing Tom Smurdon – assistant engineering

Charts Weekly charts Chart (1996–1997)Peak positionCanadian Albums (The Record)5 US Billboard 200)31

Year-end charts Chart (1996)PositionAustralian Albums (ARIA)37

Certifications

References