Now (Maxwell album)

Last updated
Now
Nowalbumcover.jpg
Studio album by
Maxwell
ReleasedAugust 14, 2001
Recorded2000–01
Genre
Length50:15
Label Columbia
Producer MUSZE (Maxwell)
Maxwell chronology
Embrya
(1998)		Now
(2001)		 BLACKsummers'night
(2009)
Singles from Now
  1. "Get to Know Ya"
    Released: February 15, 2001
  2. "Lifetime"
    Released: October 16, 2001
  3. "This Woman's Work"
    Released: January 15, 2002

Now is the third studio album by American R&B singer Maxwell. It was released on August 14, 2001, by Columbia Records. [1] Following the lukewarm critical reception of his 1998 record Embrya , Maxwell pursued a different direction while recording Now, abandoning the conceptual style of his previous albums. [2]

Contents

Now received positive reviews and became Maxwell's first album to reach number one on the Billboard 200, selling over 296,000 units in the U.S. in the first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan, and was later certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album's third single "This Woman's Work", a live staple of Maxwell's, [3] charted at number 58 on the Hot 100 and at number 16 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. [4] [5] Now was Maxwell's last album before an eight-year hiatus, which culminated in the release of his fourth studio album BLACKsummers'night (2009). [6]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [7]
Boston Herald Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [8]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [9]
Entertainment Weekly A− [10]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [11]
Mixmag Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [12]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [13]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [14]
Sound & Vision Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [15]
USA Today Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [16]

Now received generally positive reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 78, based on 11 reviews. [17] In Entertainment Weekly , Tom Sinclair found Maxwell's New Age spiritual musings to be outside the R&B mainstream and said "as mellowed-out as much of Now is, it's definitely not aural wallpaper, but a cohesive effort that rewards repeated listenings". [10] Boston Herald critic Sarah Rodman said Maxwell had made the "truly terrific" Prince album the artist himself was no longer making while continuing to "distinguish himself from the current glut of overwrought and under- erotic r & b lotharios with his retro, almost absurdly soulful ways". [8] Daryl Easlea from BBC Music highlighted the cover of the 1989 Kate Bush song "This Woman's Work" and deemed the album "grown-up, frequently gorgeous music that epitomises the very best in neo-soul". [18] Greg Kot from the Chicago Tribune found Maxwell's lyrics far more straightforward than Embrya's "almost impenetrable" songs, while applauding his ability as a singer to achieve an "enlightened empathy" that "neither panders nor demands" to his fictitious lovers. [19] James Hunter wrote in The Village Voice that Maxwell and Stuart Matthewman had avoided the gratuitous productions of Embrya in favor of more grounded music, against which the singer performed masterfully. "He is, as throughout Now, a soul singer who knows precisely what he's doing", Hunter wrote. [20] Fellow Village Voice critic Robert Christgau gave Now an "honorable mention" in his review column, singling out "Temporary Nite", "This Woman's Work", and "Lifetime" as its best songs, while writing that Maxwell "can't outbeat D'Angelo, so he works on outsinging and outsonging him". [21]

In a less enthusiastic review for PopMatters , Mark Anthony Neal said Now was one of 2001's "most accomplished R&B recordings", but qualified his praise by finding some of the music unadventurous and not indicative of the artistic maturity Maxwell seemed to show on Embrya. [1] Miles Marshall Lewis was more critical in LA Weekly , believing the singer was "not Prince" and had regressed musically with Now, throughout which "the quiet storm of Maxwell's signature sound becomes damn near somnolent". [22] Teresa Wiltz of The Washington Post said the record predictably followed his previous albums' formula of "moody musings" on romance and heartbreak, funky musical backdrops, and pleading vocals; Wiltz lamented Maxwell's inability to "stretch beyond his self-imposed limits" on record, as she believed he had "to spectacular effect" at his concerts. [23]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Hod David, Stuart Matthewman, and Maxwell (MUSZE) unless otherwise noted

No.TitleLength
1."Get to Know Ya"4:22
2."Lifetime"5:29
3."W/As My Girl"3:11
4."Changed"4:07
5."NoOne"4:41
6."For Lovers Only"3:41
7."Temporary Nite"4:22
8."Silently"5:20
9."Symptom Unknown"5:37
10."This Woman's Work"4:00
11."Now/At the Party""5:25
Total length:50:15

On physical copies, "Get to Know Ya" is separated into two tracks: the first four seconds on track 1, followed by the rest of the song on track 2. The album packaging simply lists the song as track 1, with "Lifetime" as track 3. On digital copies, "Get to Know Ya" is one track, as listed above.

Personnel

Adapted from AllMusic. [24]

Chart positions

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [42] Platinum1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<i>Songs in A Minor</i> 2001 studio album by Alicia Keys

Songs in A Minor is the debut studio album by American singer and songwriter Alicia Keys, released on June 12, 2001, by J Records.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (Tupac Shakur album) 1998 greatest hits album by 2Pac

Greatest Hits is a posthumous double-disc greatest hits album by American rapper 2Pac, released by Amaru Entertainment, Death Row Records, Interscope Records, and Jive Records on November 24, 1998.

<i>D12 World</i> 2004 studio album by D12

D12 World is the final studio album by American hip-hop group D12, released on April 27, 2004. The album sold 544,000 copies in its first week on the U.S. Billboard 200. The album is also the last D12 release to feature Proof before his death in 2006, and the second D12 album to feature Bugz on a track.

<i>8701</i> 2001 album by Usher

8701 is the third studio album by American singer Usher, released in the United Kingdom on July 9, 2001, and in the United States on August 7, 2001, by Arista Records. Recording was handled by several producers including The Neptunes, Jermaine Dupri, Babyface, Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, Mike City, Bryan Michael Cox, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. Although intended for an October 31, 2000 release under the title All About U, the album was delayed numerous times, following the leak of several tracks onto the online music store Napster. Usher subsequently recorded new tracks and released the album under the new title, 8701, which is derived from Usher singing for the first time in his local church in 1987 and the album's US release date of August 7, 2001. The single "Can U Help Me" was supplied with Windows XP Service Pack 2 and later Windows versions to showcase Windows Media Player 11 and higher WMP versions.

<i>Ashanti</i> (album) 2002 studio album by Ashanti

Ashanti is the debut studio album by American singer Ashanti, released on April 2, 2002, by Murder Inc. and Def Jam Recordings. It was recorded in New York City and Los Angeles between 2001 and 2002, during the period of time where Ashanti was writing for other artists. The album features guest vocals from Gotti, Ja Rule, and the late the Notorious B.I.G. Contributions to the album's production came from a wide range of producers, including Irv Gotti, 7 Aurelius, Chink Santana, Jared Thomas and Reggie Wright.

<i>My Way</i> (Usher album) 1997 studio album by Usher

My Way is the second studio album by American singer Usher. It was released on September 16, 1997, by LaFace Records in North America. The album features guest appearances from Monica, Jermaine Dupri, and Lil' Kim. The album was supported by three singles, all multi platinum-selling: "You Make Me Wanna...", "Nice & Slow", and the title track.

<i>Get Lifted</i> 2004 studio album by John Legend

Get Lifted is the debut studio album by American singer John Legend. It was released by GOOD Music, Sony Urban Music, and Columbia Records on December 28, 2004 in the United States. The production on the album was handled by Legend's then-manager, Kanye West, who also served as the album's executive producer, as well as Dave Tozer, will.i.am, and Devo Springsteen. The album also features guest appearances by West, Snoop Dogg and Miri Ben-Ari.

<i>Curtain Call: The Hits</i> 2005 greatest hits album by Eminem

Curtain Call: The Hits is the first greatest hits album by American rapper Eminem. It was released on December 6, 2005, under Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records. The album collects Eminem's most popular singles, as well as three new songs: "Fack", "When I'm Gone", and "Shake That" featuring Nate Dogg. A live version of "Stan" performed with English singer-songwriter Elton John at the 43rd Grammy Awards is also included as a bonus track.

<i>TP-2.com</i> 2000 studio album by R. Kelly

TP-2.com is the fourth solo album by American R&B recording artist R. Kelly, released on November 7, 2000, by Jive Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maxwell (musician)</span> American R&B singer (born 1973)

Gerald Maxwell Rivera, known mononymously as Maxwell, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. He rose to prominence following the release of his debut studio album Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite (1996), which received widespread acclaim and spawned the hit singles "Ascension " and "Sumthin' Sumthin'". Through the album and its follow ups, Maxwell has been credited—alongside Lauryn Hill, D'Angelo, and Erykah Badu—with popularizing neo soul for mainstream audiences in the late 1990s.

<i>Pain Is Love</i> 2001 studio album by Ja Rule

Pain Is Love is the third studio album by American rapper Ja Rule, released on October 2, 2001 via The Island Def Jam Music Group, Def Jam Recordings, and Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records. Although, the album received a mixed reception from critics, Pain Is Love debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and was supported by four singles: "Livin' It Up", "I'm Real ", "Always on Time" and "Down Ass Bitch". It was certified triple-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over 3,000,000 copies. Pain is Love received numerous awards and nominations including a nomination for Best Rap Album at the 44th Grammy Awards. The album's first two singles "Livin' It Up" featuring Case and "Always on Time" featuring Ashanti collected nominations for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in 2002 and 2003.

<i>Broken Silence</i> (album) 2001 studio album by Foxy Brown

Broken Silence is the third studio album by American rapper Foxy Brown, released on June 5, 2001, by Violator and Ill Na Na Entertainment; distributed under Def Jam Recordings. The album debuted at number five on the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 131,000 copies. It has been certified gold by the RIAA for shipments of 500,000 copies in the United States.

<i>Embrya</i> 1998 studio album by Maxwell

Embrya is the second studio album by American recording artist Maxwell, released on June 30, 1998, by Columbia Records. As on his 1996 debut album Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite, he collaborated with record producer and Sade member Stuart Matthewman. A neo soul album, Embrya features heavy basslines, string arrangements, and an emphasis on groove over melodies. It has themes of love and spirituality.

<i>Paper Trail</i> 2008 studio album by T.I.

Paper Trail is the sixth studio album by American rapper T.I., released September 30, 2008, on Grand Hustle Records and Atlantic Records. He began to write songs for the album as he awaited trial for federal weapons and possession charges. Unlike his past albums, he wrote his lyrics down on paper, which he had not done since his debut album, I'm Serious (2001).

<i>BLACKsummersnight</i> 2009 studio album by Maxwell

BLACKsummers'night is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Maxwell, released July 7, 2009 on Columbia Records. It is the follow-up to his third album Now (2001). Recording sessions for the album took place during 2003 to 2009 and production was handled entirely by Maxwell and Hod David.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maxwell discography</span> Neo soul recording artist discography

American R&B singer Maxwell has released five studio albums, one extended play and twenty five singles.

"Get to Know Ya" is a song by American R&B singer Maxwell, released in 2001. It is the lead single from his third album Now, and peaked to No. 25 on Billboard's R&B songs chart.

<i>blackSUMMERSnight</i> 2016 studio album by Maxwell

blackSUMMERS'night is the fifth studio album by American R&B singer and songwriter Maxwell. He produced most of the record with longtime collaborator and multi-instrumentalist Hod David; two songs were also co-produced by Stuart Matthewman. The album was released on July 1, 2016, by Columbia Records and charted at number three on the Billboard 200 while garnering widespread acclaim from critics.

<i>Hndrxx</i> 2017 studio album by Future

Hndrxx is the sixth studio album by American rapper Future. It was released on February 24, 2017, through A1 Recordings, Freebandz, and Epic Records. It followed the release of Future's eponymously-titled fifth album by one week, and features guest appearances from Rihanna, The Weeknd, Chris Brown, and Nicki Minaj.

<i>Luv Is Rage 2</i> 2017 studio album by Lil Uzi Vert

Luv Is Rage 2 is the debut studio album by American rapper and singer Lil Uzi Vert. It was released through Generation Now and Atlantic Records on August 25, 2017. The album features guest appearances from The Weeknd, Oh Wonder, and Pharrell Williams. Production was handled by a variety of record producers, including Lil Uzi Vert themself, Cubeatz, Don Cannon, Honorable C.N.O.T.E., Illmind, Maaly Raw, Metro Boomin, Pharrell Williams, The Weeknd, Pi'erre Bourne, TM88, WondaGurl, and among others. The album serves as a successor to their third extended play, Luv Is Rage 1.5 (2017), and their debut commercial mixtape, Luv Is Rage (2015). Luv Is Rage 2 was supported by three singles: "XO Tour Llif3", "The Way Life Goes" and "Sauce It Up".

References

  1. 1 2 Neal, Mark Anthony. Review: Now. PopMatters. Retrieved on 2009-09-25.
  2. ↑ Jones, Steve. "Maxwell Says He's Ready 'Now' to 'Get to Know Ya'". USA Today : D.08. August 20, 2001.
  3. ↑ Leroy, Dan. Review: Now. Yahoo! Music. Retrieved on 2009-09-25.
  4. ↑ "The Billboard Hot 100 - Maxwell - This Woman's Work - Chart Listing For The Week Of jun 29 2002". Billboard . Retrieved 15 February 2009.
  5. ↑ "The Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Maxwell - This Woman's Work - Chart Listing For The Week Of jul 06 2002". Billboard . Retrieved 15 February 2009.
  6. ↑ Kellman, Andy Review: BLACKsummers'night. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2009-07-19.
  7. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. Review: Now. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2009-09-25.
  8. 1 2 Rodman, Sarah. "Review: Now". Boston Herald : S.23. August 31, 2001. Archived from the original [ dead link ] on 2009-09-25. (Transcription of original review at talk page)
  9. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2006). "Maxwell". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music . Vol. 5 (4th ed.). MUZE. p. 582. ISBN   0195313739.
  10. 1 2 Sinclair, Tom. Now. Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved on 2022-05-30.
  11. ↑ Weingarten, Marc. Review: Now. Los Angeles Times . Retrieved on 2009-09-25.
  12. ↑ "Review". Mixmag . October 2001. p. 177.
  13. ↑ "Reviews". Q . October 2001. p. 127.
  14. ↑ Berger, Arion (August 30, 2001). "Recordings: Maxwell, Now, 3 Stars". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on August 30, 2001. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  15. ↑ Puterbaugh, Parke (August 2001). "Music". Sound & Vision . Vol. 66. p. 134.
  16. ↑ Jones, Steve; Gardner, Elysa (August 21, 2001). "Take a chance on Maxwell Branch explores the sound of untainted youth". USA Today . p. D.04. Retrieved October 5, 2016.(subscription required)
  17. ↑ "Reviews for Now by Maxwell". Metacritic . Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  18. ↑ Easlea, Daryl (July 24, 2012). "Review of Maxwell - Now". BBC Music . Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  19. ↑ Kot, Greg (September 28, 2001). "Neo-soul grows and grooves". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  20. ↑ Hunter, James. Review: Now. The Village Voice . Retrieved on 2009-09-25.
  21. ↑ Christgau, Robert (September 18, 2001). "Consumer Guide: Minstrels All". The Village Voice. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  22. ↑ Lewis, Miles Marshall (September 12, 2001). "Now's the Time?". LA Weekly . Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  23. ↑ Wiltz, Teresa. "Review: Now". The Washington Post : C.01. August 22, 2001. Archived from the original on 2009-09-25. (Transcription of original review at talk page)
  24. ↑ "Now – Maxwell | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  25. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Maxwell – Now". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Albums : Top 100". Jam! . September 6, 2001. Archived from the original on December 14, 2004. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Maxwell – Now" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  28. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Maxwell – Now". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Maxwell – Now" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Maxwell – Now". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Maxwell – Now". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  32. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Maxwell – Now". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  33. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  34. ↑ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Maxwell Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  36. ↑ "Maxwell Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  37. ↑ "Canada's Top 200 R&B; albums of 2001". Jam! . January 8, 2002. Archived from the original on November 22, 2002. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2001". Billboard. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  39. ↑ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2001". Billboard. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  40. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2002". Billboard. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  41. ↑ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2002". Billboard. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  42. ↑ "American album certifications – Maxwell – Now". Recording Industry Association of America.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.