Much like Rodney Dangerfield, 1970s folk-rock kingpins America do not get much respect.

Endless vilification by hard rock fans and folk purists notwithstanding, America has written some great songs (“Ventura Highway” and “Sister Golden Hair”) in its 35 years of recording. So, it’s appropriate that fans James Iha of the Smashing Pumpkins and Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne would want to accompany America into the studio to churn out a new studio album.

“Here & Now” opens with the relentlessly cheery “Chasing the Rainbow,” a soft, gliding pop song that sounds like a slowed-down version of “Ventura Highway” (complete with 12-string guitar riffs). The glistening production and the sharp drums sound modern, but the sweet melodies and swirling vocals are pure 1970s America.

Singers/guitarists Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell really outdo themselves on songs like “Indian Summer” and “Love & Leaving,” two fine tunes that recall the sound of America’s 1973 album, “Homecoming.” The songs co-written by Schlesinger (the hollow thumper “Ride On” and the sparse, humble “Work to Do”) sound distinctly like mid-’70s America and not some starry-eyed modern taking on classic music.

It’s hardly collaboration, though, since Schlesinger wisely chose to write songs fitting in nicely with Beckley and Funnel’s smooth, subdued voices, as opposed to forcing his own band’s style upon the songwriting duo.

“Here & Now” is a great record from a group that had been written off as a nostalgia act. America hasn’t sounded this good in well over 30 years.