Here & Now
AMERICA
RATING: 3 SOUND LEVELS
For all of their success in the `70s, the members of America never flirted with cool. But, for possibly the first time, some tastemakers are expressing interest in a new America album. Younger hipsters like Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne) and James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins) produced, and other modern rockers like Nada Surf, My Morning Jacket and Ryan Adams contributed. All of these artists pay homage to the duo of Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley on the two-CD set, “Here & Now.” But the main studio CD–Disc 2 is a live recording of America oldies–is not a tribute disc. “Here & Now” sounds like vintage “Ventura Highway”-era America and could have been released as-is in 1974. The harmonies are classic America, the melodic hooks feel timeless. The sound here is simple and organic–primarily vocals, guitars, bass and drums.