I heard good things about this before I listened to it. Sigh! Maybe next time. Now Then is not bad; it just didn't live up to my expectations, even after I listened to it several times. I kept putting this review off because I wanted to say good things about it.
The theme seemed very interesting. It's the prodigal son story (or prodigal husband in this case) of Victor Silas. There are a couple of songs about his life before he leaves for Vegas; one about his arrival; one about his fall; and the rest focus on his redemption. This is so short (less than 36 minutes excluding the 5+ minutes of dead space) that you really don't get a chance to enjoy the story being told -- if it weren't for the liner notes, you probably wouldn't even know there was a common theme running throughout. Another 10-15 minutes of songs developing the theme would help tremendously, and the lyrics could also use some rewriting. There is an extra track that is an excellent "moral of the story" wrap-up, and may well be the best track of the disc.
The music itself is not bad, but not great either. It is light alternative rock with soft (bordering on weak) vocals. The production quality is about as bland as it gets and does little to enhance the music.
If you are a music-addict that has to have something to listen to in the background while you are working, then this is a good fit. If you are mesmerized by rock operas and music that tells a story then you will enjoy reading the liner notes and listening along as the story progresses. Otherwise, this is an average work.
2.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 1997Reviewed by Linda T. StonehockerIn a structure similar to The Who's Tommy, the sophomore release from Sunday's Child, Now Then, sketches the allegorical journey of Victor Silas, a prodigal who squanders his deep South inheritance/birthright in Las Vegas during the nation's bicentennial. The sound is generally light modern rock with plenty of harmonic overtones, and some interesting samples thrown in occasionally. The clear,…Similar sounding releases
2001PushcarApartment D
2004They Sang As They SlewGet Well
1994RadioheadMy Iron Lung
2000CushCush
1999LuxuryLuxury
2004PilateCaught by the Window
