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NOW

Prog Related • United States


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Now biography
NOW were one of the premier Colorado prog bands of the 80's. They were formed in 1981 by keyboardist Eric Kampman who got together with Gary Morrell and his friend Jon Ernst, both contributing guitar, bass and vocals. It took them a while (and a stolen drum kit!) to get it all together but they eventually discovered drummer Barbara Crawford who appears on their first album ("Everything Is Different Now"), released in 1986. Soon after, however, Crawford decided she wanted to persue her education and quit. With new drummer Rich Dibennidetto on board, the band then had a couple more releases ("Now What" in 1989 and "kNow Reason" in 1991) and then things started to slowly fall apart, the inevitable musical differences and personality conflicts taking their toll. In 1992, they were to perform for the first ever Progfest but ticket sales were slow, the show was scaled back and the band was dropped from the list. The night they heard the news was the last night they played together. NOW officially disbanded in 1993. Kampman, Morell and Crawford have since been collaborating on various projects, including one with EPISODE keyboardist Nick Peck.

Their most progressive album, "Everything Is Different Now", is something of a mixture of KING CRIMSON, YES and GENESIS with vocals slightly reminiscent of Derek Shulman's (GENTLE GIANT). The lyrics are light and humourous and the music lush but complex and rhythmically tight, with lots of guitar, many twists and turns and odd-time signatures. Actually, three different songwriters have contributed to the album so there is quite a variety of styles on it, ranging from symphonic prog to straight-ahead rock. Technically speaking, everyone is competent enough but a special mention must go to Crawford who puts in quite a performance on drums. Although by no means mainstream radio material, the band's other two albums are of somewhat less interest to progheads.

NOW's sound, both busy and melodic, should appeal to fans of ECHOLYN and EASTER ISLAND.

: : : Lise (HIBOU), CANADA : : :

NOW Videos (YouTube and more)


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NOW discography


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NOW top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.08 | 6 ratings
Everything Is Different Now
1986
2.33 | 3 ratings
Now What?
1990
2.33 | 3 ratings
kNow Reason
1991

NOW Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

NOW Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

NOW Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

NOW Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

0.00 | 0 ratings
Heaven on Earth / Reactions
1985

NOW Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Everything Is Different Now by NOW album cover Studio Album, 1986
3.08 | 6 ratings

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Everything Is Different Now
Now Prog Related

Review by apps79
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars This US band from Colorado was found in early-80's by young students Eric Kampman (keyboards/vocals) and Gary Morrell (guitars).Morrell brought along his friend Jon Ernst (guitars) and with Van Hoisington on bass the original Now were born.Later they would be joined by drummer Barbara Crawford.However Hoisington quit after the group moved to California in search for a better luck.During this period Now recorded their private debut LP ''Everything Is Different Now'' (1986, Yoronkels Records) with Kampman, Ernst and Morrell recording the bass parts.

Now's sound was heavily influenced by GENTLE GIANT, although they were a much more refined version of the English legends, offering semi-long tracks with intricate instrumental passages and delicate, warm vocals.At moments they sound a lot like TERRACED GARDEN, ADVENT or even early ECHOLYN.Other reference points include KANSAS and YES.Their style was quite complex, especially for the time they recorded the album, introducing elements from Symphonic Rock and Jazz.The arrangements are tight and full of long instrumental themes with multiple changes and a heavy amount of breaks.The atmosphere ranges from ethereal and elegant passages with sensitive multi-vocal harmonies and melodic themes to very dramatic textures with plenty of solos and interplays.A few tracks even include some powerful KING CRIMSON-esque ideas, performed through dual guitar attacks with complex riffs and dissonances.The album sounds very fresh even today, maybe due to the absence of any analog keyboards, as all keyboard parts are delivered with a synthesizer.

Full-blown mid-80's Progressive Rock with many shifting moods and some really demanding musicianship.Warmly recommended, and even more if you are a fan of any of the aforementioned acts.

Thanks to ProgLucky for the artist addition.

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