Here & Now (America album)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Here & Now
Here & Now cover
Studio album by America
Released January 2007
Recorded Stratosphere Sound, New York, New York, June - July 2006
Genre Pop-rock
Label Burgundy Records
Producer Adam Schlesinger and James Iha
Professional reviews
  • All Music Guide 4/5 stars link
  • Music Box 2.5/5 stars link
  • Pitchfork (4.0/10) link
America chronology
The Grand Cayman Concert
(2002)		 Here & Now
(2007)

Here & Now is the sixteenth original studio album by American folk rock duo America, released by Burgundy Records in January 2007 (see 2007 in music). This is the first major-label full-length studio album released by the group since Perspective in 1984.

The personnel involved in the recording and production of Here & Now departs sharply from previous projects and represents an effort to reconnect with fresh, young talent. The album is co-produced by James Iha (formerly of Smashing Pumpkins) and Adam Schlesinger (of Fountains of Wayne and Ivy). Guest artists include Ryan Adams, Ben Kweller, Jim James and Patrick Hallahan of My Morning Jacket, Matthew Caws and Ira Elliot of Nada Surf, Mark Rozzo of Maplewood, and longtime collaborator and friend Stephen Bishop. Veteran America drummer Will Leacox joins in on percussion. Cover songs include "Indian Summer" (Maplewood), "Golden" (My Morning Jacket), and "Always Love" (Nada Surf).

The recording sessions were completed in July 2006, but a scheduled September release was eventually pushed back to January 2007. This was first known occasion on which America recorded in a studio in New York City. The album reached #52 during its debut week, the highest position for the band since 1982's View From The Ground.

The first disc is comprised of brand-new studio recordings, while a second disc features a live performance of the entire History: America's Greatest Hits album as recorded for "Then...Again...Live!" on XM Satellite Radio, with longtime sidemen Willie Leacox on drums, Michaels Woods on guitar and keyboards, and newcomer Richard Campbell on bass and vocals.

Several alternate editions of Here & Now exist with a bonus track added at the end of disc one. These editions could only be purchased at Best Buy, Borders, Wal-Mart, and via iTunes digital download.

Of the bonus tracks, the title song and "Saturday Sky" originally appeared on Gerry Beckley's solo record Horizontal Fall (also the original source for "Love and Leaving"), while "Paradise" premiered on The Complete Greatest Hits.

[edit] Track listing

[edit] Disc One

  1. "Chasing the Rainbow"
  2. "Indian Summer"
  3. "One Chance"
  4. "Golden"
  5. "Always Love"
  6. "Ride On"
  7. "Love and Leaving"
  8. "Look at Me Now"
  9. "This Time"
  10. "Work to Do"
  11. "All I Think About Is You"
  12. "Walk in the Woods"
  13. "Here and Now" (Best Buy exclusive bonus track)
  14. "Glass King" (iTunes exclusive bonus track)
  15. "Paradise" (Borders exclusive bonus track)
  16. "Saturday Sky" (Wal-Mart exclusive bonus track)

[edit] Disc Two

  1. "Ventura Highway"
  2. "Don't Cross the River"
  3. "Daisy Jane"
  4. "I Need You"
  5. "Tin Man"
  6. "Muskrat Love"
  7. "Woman Tonight"
  8. "Only in Your Heart"
  9. "Lonely People"
  10. "Sandman"
  11. "Sister Golden Hair"
  12. "A Horse with No Name"