Maxwell never really struck me as a great artist i was first introduced to him in 1998 when i saw the video for "Sumthin' Sumthin'" the song stuck in my head for a good few weeks i was very sceptical on buying the "Urban Hang Suite" as i'd not really heard from him before (I no how late was i).Never really listenin to "Embrya" as i heard it wasnt that good so i kinda avoided it but by the time "Get To Know Ya" was released i knew what i had to do...purchase "Now".It's one of the best albums i own i was really quick to judge Maxwell as i was a stern D'Angelo fan since "Brown Sugar" so i saw Maxwell as jus a wannabe I WAS WRONG!!1.[Untitled Track]/What the hell?????? 4 seconds of nothing whats was the point N/A
2.Get To Know Ya/The 1st explosive single i love this up-beat acoustic number its one of the best tracks on the album its about trying to get to know a woman that wont give him the time of day great song 10/10
3.Lifetime/The 2nd single at first i thought this was a bit whingy and stale but after a few listens u start to feel Maxwells originality the song itself is a highlight not a great single release but its a great song 9/10
4.W/As My Girl/At first i was thinkin "oh dear typing error" but its not its "Was/As My Girl" very clever or jus lazyness?? nice laid back sexy jam hes voice really shines on this one its surprisingly catchy considering the tempo 10/10
5.Changed/Wasn't a fan of this one but slowly grew on me hes voice is outstanding i love the chorus its got a great vibe it seems its about a love gone awry cool song 10/10
6.NoOne/One of the best songs on the album seemin like a filler at first but gradually u wish it was a single release its up-beat and really funky its actually sweet in its own way just sayin theres no one like hes lover awww! 10/10
7.For Lover's Only/With a name like "For Lover's Only" you instantly think its a baby-maker which is the beat is so soft and sensual its ideal for making love the words are just outstanding (how does he come up with this stuff) 10/10
8.Temporary Nite/I did actually hear this song before i got the album on a "Nu Soul" mix-tape back in February of 2001 before the album was released in August 01 the funky guitar riff gives it a great edgy feel its simply just about a one night stand lol 10/10
9.Silently/This song is so so sexy its another one of the albums better track (which most of em are)it has a slight eastern feel to it and also very laid back 9/10
10.Symptom Unknown/The first line its my favourite part "There's An Ocean/Drained Of All It's Been/Took A Bath/But Just Cant Keep Clean" what a poetic and deep man Maxwell is this is definatly one of my fav tracks hes vocals are also wonderfully delicate 10/10
11.This Woman's Work/The Kate Bush cover i seriously gotta say im not really a fan of it, it was also featured in the movie "Love & Basketball" having never heard the original i cant compare but as for what ive heard from people this version is very very good its a nice song but never really listened to it 8/10
12.Now/At The Party/The infectious guitar riff and the pounding bass makes this song a great one i would love to hear this one live.It takes a while for him to start singing but really do we really need it the songs just satisfying listenin to the intrumental love it 10/10
Overall i will be buying Maxwell's previous work this album really woke me up to see just how great Maxwell is
Top 5 Now Tunes
1.Get To Know Ya
2.NoOne
3.Symptom Unknown
4.Temporary Nite
5.Now/At The Party
BUY IT!
Most people who like Maxwell's music would identify this album as the weak one. Its only weak simply because the first two were outstanding."Now" has a different feel to the others, and was set out to have more cross over appeal. The lyrics are not as deep and meaningful, but the music is still very good.
The album kicks off with perhaps its best track "Get To Know Ya". Its a track which is very catchy and talks about Maxwell simply getting to know a very nice lady. Lacks the depth in which "Sumthin Sumthin" had from the debut set, but still a track to look at.
My personal favourite on the album is "No One" which has gone into my top 3 Maxwell songs of all time. I recommend you by the album for this track alone. Shades of Prince are evident, but there is something about Maxwell's style that makes it his own.
"Temporary Nite" is another stormer. So funky you will fall off your chair. Maxwell dips into the rock/funk that prince did so successfully. To be honest this Track could have easily been the one I was saying was the best on here. Its that damn good.
Ballad wise, there are some nice track. "For Lovers Only" is nice but no where near previous efforts such as "Till The Cops" and "Drown deep".
"Was/My Girl" is better, but still lacks a certain edge that we know Maxwell can deliver.
On his Mtv Unplugged, set of a few years previous he did a cover of "This Womans Work" which was made famous by Kate Bush. He didn't include it on the Embrya album but has doen so here. Its not as good as that live version but it is still a fantastic cover. He makes it his own, and anyone who knows the orginal will know that is a hard thing to do. Actually, trying to cover any Kate Bush track is going to be a task.
"Now/At the Party" is the final track which is again very funky. A long muscial intro is mixed into Maxwell's cool soulful voice, to end the album on a high.
"Now" is not as memorable as his first two. But it still has its moments. Maxwell is a true performer in my eyes, and I cannot wait for his next set because I am almost certain there will be many tracks on there like on here which you just sit back and say, 'yeah'.
