Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey, cofrontmen of '80s indie-pop group the dBs, reunited in 1991 for the album Mavericks, which proved to be a master class in creative and precisely executed songwriting. Not this time: The long-awaited hERE aND nOW falls victim to the pair's hokier tendencies. The duo starts off strong with a faithful cover of Family's ''My Friend the Sun'' and the lush late-summer longing of ''Santa Monica.'' Unfortunately, the proceedings quickly descend into a puddle of cheese spread, silliness, and ill-fitting Branford Marsalis sax solos. For serious devotees only. C+
Download This: Listen to the song Santa Monica on the duo's MySpace
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