Photographers: Sharon Ely; Joe Ely; Butch Hancock.
Even by the most lackadaisical release schedule, three decades is a bit of a wait between a group's first and second albums. Of course, this pause in the discography of progressive-country cult heroes the Flatlanders can be explained by the fact that each of the three members spent the time in the middle becoming respected solo singer-songwriters. Still, it sounds like no time passed at all between the posthumously released MORE A LEGEND THAN A BAND and the reunited bliss of NOW AGAIN, as the reunited band's mix of traditional country, Townes Van Zandt-like troubadourism, and cowboy mysticism remains unquestionably intact and vital.
The group's three-part harmonies are employed to maximum effect on the sparkling, '60s-pop-inflected "Julia." "Waving My Heart Goodbye" and "My Wildest Dreams Grow Wilder Every Day" show the band's knack for adding witty lyrics to honky-tonk grooves. The Joe Ely-sung "I Thought the Wreck Was Over" is a light-hearted romp that utilizes Ely's trademark roughneck vocal style well. Though the otherworldly tremolo of the group's most affecting singer Jimmie Dale Gilmore is the dominant vocal element,and Butch Hancock's metaphysical, post-Dylan lyrics emblazon themselves most strongly on the listener's mind, almost all the songs on NOW AGAIN are group-penned and show the work of a truly collaborative outfit once more at the peak of its considerable powers.
Professional Reviews
Rolling Stone (6/20/02, p.87) - 3.5 stars out of 5 - "...As a devil-may-care hoot, it's one for the ages."