Here & Now

To be clear: America hasn't flooded the market with another best-of album. Instead, two of the founding members, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell, were rescued from classic rock purgatory by the Smashing Pumpkins' James Iha and Fountains of Wayne's Adam Schlesinger with an offer from the younger musicians to act as producers on an album of new material. The respect that Iha and Schlesinger have shown for America's talents is touching, drawing the best out of the band's close harmonies and gentle folk rock sound. Over the decades, Beckley and Bunnell have lost none of their vocal compatibility or their guitar acumen. If anything, they're much better players in 2007 than they were when they first rode into pop music history on their "Horse with No Name." Here & Now is further enhanced by guests like Ryan Adams (on "Ride On"), as well as Ben Kweller pairing up with My Morning Jacket members Jim James and Patrick Hallahan for a cover of Jacket's "Golden." Meanwhile, Nada Surf members play back up on a heart-stopping version of their own "Always Love." Also included is a live disc recorded in 2005, which finds America covering their chart-topping hits with a deft, subtle hand, reminding us that this group could hold its own with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, the Eagles, and other early '70s contemporaries. --Jaan Uhelszki

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