| Boomer Media Review |
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America
Here and Now
Sony/BMG/ Burgandy/ Rhino
"...it felt good to be out of the
rain."
America, 1971
One might at first blush ask if a
new one from the California
mellow/country/pop band
America is of any merit, 35 years
after their 70s chart-topping
reign.
Well, surprisingly, I say the
answer is, yes.
America founders Gerry Beckley
and Dewey Brunnell have
teamed with producers Andrew
Schlesinger and James Iha, and
have actually come up with a
pretty good effort.
Now, none of the 12 tracks on
Disc 1 of Here and Now-more
Disc 2, later-are in the company
of Ventura Highway, Horse With
No Name, or Sister Golden Hair.
Yet most of them retain the
comfort sound that originally
made America a hit; a sort of
warm, fuzzy, harmonious sweet
sound palate with good melody
making and interesting lyrics.
However, America is not taking
a chance that Here and Now will
be shrugged off, bookending
the release with a 2005 live
concert that features another 12
tracks of most of America's
chart toppers and album faves.
In fact, this set could have easily
been titled "Now and Then," but
perhaps that was just too darn
common.
In any event, the live show is
well played, even if some of the
vocal performances come close
to the singer trying to hard to
sing like the singer-you know;
the Mick Jagger effect-but that is
not enough to detract from the
total package.
A great cover, too.
Listen to sound samples, below.
www.americacd.comwww.ventu
rahighway.com
Here and Now
Sony/BMG/ Burgandy/ Rhino
"...it felt good to be out of the
rain."
America, 1971
One might at first blush ask if a
new one from the California
mellow/country/pop band
America is of any merit, 35 years
after their 70s chart-topping
reign.
Well, surprisingly, I say the
answer is, yes.
America founders Gerry Beckley
and Dewey Brunnell have
teamed with producers Andrew
Schlesinger and James Iha, and
have actually come up with a
pretty good effort.
Now, none of the 12 tracks on
Disc 1 of Here and Now-more
Disc 2, later-are in the company
of Ventura Highway, Horse With
No Name, or Sister Golden Hair.
Yet most of them retain the
comfort sound that originally
made America a hit; a sort of
warm, fuzzy, harmonious sweet
sound palate with good melody
making and interesting lyrics.
However, America is not taking
a chance that Here and Now will
be shrugged off, bookending
the release with a 2005 live
concert that features another 12
tracks of most of America's
chart toppers and album faves.
In fact, this set could have easily
been titled "Now and Then," but
perhaps that was just too darn
common.
In any event, the live show is
well played, even if some of the
vocal performances come close
to the singer trying to hard to
sing like the singer-you know;
the Mick Jagger effect-but that is
not enough to detract from the
total package.
A great cover, too.
Listen to sound samples, below.
www.americacd.comwww.ventu
rahighway.com