CD REVIEW
Solid rock 'n' roll from This Is Now
by KARL SCHEITHEIR Entertainment Editor

Formed in 2001, This Is Now is a very tight modern rock band comprised of Bob Rich (lead vocals/guitar), Bob Kupczyk (guitars/vocals, and Bee Group Newspapers Special Sections Editor), Kent Weber (bass, acoustic guitar, SH101, Moog Pedals, music box, juice harp/vocals) and Kevin Kilner (drums/percussion). Newest member Jeff Schaller (also of Last Days of Radio) takes over on drums for Kilner, who moved out of state.

If you like bands such as Live and 54-40, then you'll love the straightforward modern rock 'n' roll of their release "Hear & Now."

Bob Rich's voice sounds more like a mix of Ian Astbury of The Cult and Ed Kowalczyk from Live, but a little more reserved than either of them.

Even though I am swayed by Ska-influenced track 4 "Mine All Mine," "Better Than Now" is the best song on the CD. Not only does it capture the raw energy of a live performance, but everything works.

Now, it seems the people in Europe disagree with me. They can't seem to get enough of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," according to sales from iTunes. This Is Now reinterprets the classic Beatles tune with a harder edge that really works.

The remix of the band's "Father Son" is actually better than the original. The song has a live-per formance-sound-with-the -band-having-a-real-good-time feel not found on the original. They loosened up in the studio and had a good time adding synthesizer and horns. Most bands blow it and make a remix dance song that is ... well, crap; however, This Is Now took it in the right direction and made a great tune.

The disc was recorded at Robby Takac's Chameleonwest Studios with Allen Farmelo and Marc Hunt at the controls and was mastered at Nick Blagona's Metalworks Studio.

Visit their Web site at www.thisisnowonline.com for more information and where you can go hear them live.