by Ben Ohmart, www.musicdish.com, 5.15.03

Artist: NOW is NOW (www.NOWisNOW.com)
Title: Transitions
Label: A Lot of Records
Genre: ROCK

It's been too long since I've been able to write a simple ROCK in that little genre blank above. But that's exactly what NOW is NOW is. Guitar driven rock music perpetuated by lead-brain Mitch Alden. Melodic, loud, featuring intelligent lyrics and production that will make the major labels jealous.

They're from Steep Falls, ME, which must be close to Mitch's hero, Stephen King, which he credits for at least the opening 'Daydream' track. 'Continuing with my obsession with Stephen King's saga, "The Dark Tower," this song embraces the love Roland has for Susan and the pains he feels when he witnesses her death; her death was in part because of his obsession with the Dark Tower.'

I couldn't see forever
I must have been blind
It all seemed to be meant to be and
I don't know why
I don't know why

This is NOW is NOW's first full-length album, following a self-titled EP, which fans should want to find after a listen to this powerhouse stuff. They tour extensively with the act, everywhere from Cambridge, Mass. to NYC to North Conway, NH to King's own Bangor, ME at The Sea Dog.

The great ballad here is 'Down' with a simple acoustic guitar in front of an epic drum set (heavy on the cymbals).

You should take me down
You should take me under
You should take me down again
So I could be on the ground again
Following my footsteps To a path of yesterday's beginning
I'm not living
Consumed by forces undeniably speaking
Your name's a faded flower
Blackened to a color of insane
And I hear you

Listen to some of these tunes on their site and be a believer:

Daydream
Into Darkness
Now
Sail Away
29 Years
Heaven Helps
Down
Transitions
Young Man

Ben Ohmart is the assistant editor for www.musicdish.com.