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My Favourite Tubes album ever !

H. Forisz | South Wales, UK | 02/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Well it has been said before and I echo the sentiment here. It's about time !!! From the pespective of a long-time Tubes Fan, this album is probably one of the most underrated of The Tubes studio albums. The reason for this may be the lack of orchestral add-ins on the tracks. Granted, the result is RAW, but genuine, and NOW is definitely my favourite album by The Tubes.



If you are a person who likes production, or should I say over production, then this album may not be for you - but if you are a connoisseur of music, then ignoring this album will probably be the worst thing you will do.



Without going into a blow by blow account of every track, I will say that the quality of the tracks is consistant, and the musicianship as ever is sterling.



You will be surprised at the diversity of music here, you hear soulful songs (Golden Boy) alongside the weird and wonderful (God Bird Change and Cathy's Clone) Other songs remind us of former decades (besides the 70s) This Town and Hit Parade. I am always pleased when a band writes its own material, and am rarely impressed by cover versions, but "My head is my only House" - a Captain Beefheart song is done very well indeed. If you particularly like lyrics, why not listen to I'm just a mess, a Roger Steen masterpiece and Pound of Flesh - hilariously touching.







Their musical diversity is refreshing, lamentable though it was for the music industry, who wanted to categorise them.



My personal favourites are "Strung Out on Strings" - "a six string rock dream rockabilly lullaby" - which is no lullaby, "God Bird Change" - an instrumental with an exotic latin rhythm interlude flanked by eletro-rock perfection. Once again, Mike Cotton's sound effects are complementary to this track and "Smoke" - which still remains a strong song. Once again, don't expect these tracks to be put together songs that you find in the Top 40, you'll be disappointed.



HOWEVER, if you are looking for something "different but good to listen to", then give this album a listen. The Tubes may have forged their reputation on their Stage show antics, but if you take a closer look, the Music is a real treasure!



I gave this five stars because of the pleasure this album has given me for decades. If the music on an album can do that, it's got to be worth 5 stars.



"

Now the circle is complete

John S. Harris | Memphis, TN | 08/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The reviews that precede mine sum up quite nicely anything I would want to say about this long-overdue CD release.



The Tubes never really got their due commercially. Their fanbase was rabid and their music was even critically respected in most circles. But to see "Now" languishing as a vinyl-only release for so many years was a shame. By finally letting "Now" see the light of day on CD, The Tubes and their fans can breathe a collective sigh of relief -- the band's entire legitimate catalog is now on CD and their status as a cult band finally has some long-overdue respectability in the marketplace.



Or something like that.



The album's title is also the answer to the question "When should I buy it?""

The Tubes' least appreciated LP improves with age

John C. Thomas | Chicago, IL USA | 01/15/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"While their self-titled debut album, Completion Backwards, Young and Rich, Outside Inside, and Remote Control were the best-selling Tubes LPs, the 1977 release "Now" might have been The Tubes' most musically-rich LP that demonstrated their musicianship best. Maybe that's why this LP sounds nearly as fresh today, unburdened by the obligation to include trendy sounds that date the music."