Here & Now (America album)


Here & Now is the 16th original studio album by American folk rock duo America, released by Burgundy Records in January 2007. This is the first pop music studio album released by the group since Human Nature in 1998. This album was a modest hit when it was released in 2007, reaching 52 on the Billboard album chart; America's best chart showing since 1982's View from the Ground. Songs that received some airplay in the U.S. were "Always Love"", "Love and Leaving", "Chasing the Rainbow" and "Ride On".

History

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 and Adam Schlesinger. 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", "Golden", and "Always Love".
The recording sessions were completed in July 2006, but a scheduled September release was eventually pushed back to January 2007. This was the 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 composed of brand-new studio recordings, while a second disc features a live performance of the entire album as recorded for "Then...Again...Live!" on XM Satellite Radio, with longtime sidemen Willie Leacox on drums, Michael 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. A version sold at Target included a bonus DVD containing eight tracks of the XM performance.
Of the bonus tracks, the title song and "Saturday Sky" originally appeared on Gerry Beckley's solo record Horizontal Fall, while "Paradise" premiered on The Complete Greatest Hits.

Track listing

;Disc One
  2. "Glass King"
  4. "Paradise"
  6. "Saturday Sky"
  8. "Here & Now"
;Disc Two
;Bonus DVD
  1. "Ventura Highway"
  2. "Daisy Jane"
  3. "I Need You"
  4. "Tin Man"
  5. "Only in Your Heart"
  6. "Sandman"
  7. "Sister Golden Hair"
  8. "A Horse With No Name"