Mitch Alden writes of past, future, and Now (is Now)


by Ben Monaghan, The Portland Press Herald, 11.18.02

I can't resist the invitation to ponder the metaphysics Mitch Alden of Now is Now proposes in his new release, "Transitions." In an e-mail to me, he writes about the "elusive essence of positivity" that he hopes his music inspires by embracing the "Now."

"Ever wonder why 99 percent of what we think and talk about focuses on the past or future?" he writes. "Imagine how frazzled that must make all of us."

"So," Alden asks, "If the band is called 'Now is Now,' why the heck is (our) full-length CD called 'Transitions?' "

I didn't give the question much thought until I gave the newly released CD a listen. Alden's lyrics are ambiguous, written in a style of free association that, for those of us who enjoy reading lyrics, can be frustratingly like reading tea leaves. But the issue of the now and transitions seems to dominate.

In the fourth track, and one of the strongest, "Sail Away," Alden seems to confront the inevitable realization that the now is, in fact, a transition, however much he resists it. He sings, "I'm just a man, a man in transition, nowhere destination, complacent as I sing."

And this seems to be at the crux of Mitch Alden. He makes music as a means to achieve clarity of heart and mind, yet resists drawing any definite conclusions. It gives his lyrics an unfinished feel, as if he is more concerned with the getting there than the arriving.

For those who are not looking for answers, the riddle of Now is Now just might be the thing. Alden has a strong acoustic pop bent and writes with solid hooks and melodic drive. Songs like "Down" (co-written with Jonny Linn), "29 Years" and "Daydream" are all pleasing to the ear and immediately register on the toe-tapping meter.

Now is Now, 10 p.m. Friday, Ri Ra, 72 Commercial St., 761-4446, $3 or $13 with CD.

Ben Monaghan is a free-lance writer who lives in Portland. He can be contacted at: bmonagha@maine.rr.com Musicians and performers may send new music and information on upcoming shows to this column, c/o Portland Press Herald, 390 Congress St., Portland, ME 04101, or e-mail: features@pressherald.com