Vertical Horizon Album: “Go”

In a way, the cover of this re-release says it all. The broken prop implies (given the title of the CD) maybe not quite a go without a doubt speaking to the issues the CD had coming to light at RCA and the dumping of VH following its unsupported release (though I like to view it as an overall statement on life in general).

What is sad is that VH has now, at best, a cult following as Hybrid cannot market the band as it deserves. My first hope given that fact is that their new deal with Hybrid lasts and that they can continue to release music and my second is that they DO NOT change their sound (its a possibility given their acoustic beginning and the departure of Ed Toth) as I feel they are unique among rock bands Why?

This is a rock band with purpose: gifted in melody and blessed to have the writing and vocal talents of someone like Matt Scannell, but seemingly unable to break throught the din of lousy top forty crap roaring out of radios these days.

With regards to this re-release: if you think you should stick with the original release you have...DON'T. I thought that before I heard the bonus track. Better When You're Not Here is, in my opinion THE BEST track VH has ever recorded-it makes the album a 7 star when it was already a 5+ star release. The song represents the mixing of seemingly dissimilar elements that makes the band so special: the lyrics, simple but touching (and ambiguous enough to make you think) and yet the music simply ROCKS, I can crank this in my car and get down with it but at the same time there are intricate suddle aspects that make the song really special: a little acoustic guitar mixed in, and entrancing piano in the bridge and some haunting background vocals.

The new track, combined with a slight re-ordering of the songs leaves us with a seamless masterpiece.

The best or the original tracks are still (well, everything but.... ha ha) When You Cry, I'm Still Here, Forever, and Goodbye Again. I laugh because the album is filled with number 1 tracks if only someone would get behind them and force radio to listen.

VH is special: a rock band that is actually good, a rock band with a message. The band says Go is a gift to the fans...perhaps one day more people will hear it. Until then those of us that know them will continue to listen with pleasure.

A gift it is indeed. Thanks guys.

I got hooked on Vertical Horizon in 1999 with their Everything You Want CD. After hearing that CD and went out and got their other albums too. If you love great harmony and songs that actually mean something, you'll love this new CD. It is so refreshing to buy a CD that has an entire album that is great instead of wasting your money for just a song or two. If you've never purchased a CD from these guys, this is one to get! Once you hear them, I'll bet money you'll buy the rest of their stuff--if you haven't already!!

Vertical Horizon in the last few years has quickly become one of my top two favorite bands. Their music is thought provoking & powerful & without a doubt some of the very best stuff out there today.

The best track is definately "Goodbye Again", it's one of my all time favorites & two other standouts are "Won't Go Away" with it's haunting melody & "I'm Still Here".

I loved their last album Everything You Want & highly reccomend it & didn't think this one could come close to that but after listening to it a couple of times decided that it was even better. If you like Vertical Horizon, you will LOVE this album!

This CD is very likeable. It is a lot like EYW which is a bit of a let down as it hasn't shown much growth however that is not to say that this CD isn't worth purchasing. While at points it does sound like EYW & a long wait for a follow up for the major fans, it is ultimately better than EYW.

The album overall has superb lyrics & VH should be given credibility for their writing on this album. After a few listens this really grows on you, it just takes a little longer. The good thing is that Scannel did say in an interview he knows how frustrating it is for fans to have to wait a long time for a new album by an artist & he hope's that the next one won't take as long.

On to the album:

1. When You Cry has a heavy beginning and a catchy chorus: "it only hurts when you cry". 4/5

2. I'm Still Here, good lyrics, good guitar work happening in this song. "the cities grow, the rivers flow, but I'm still here". 5/5

3. Forever is possibly the best track on the album in terms of its style, its unique & unlike anything else on the disc. 5/5

4. Sunshine has a heavy beginning and is similar to track one yet it is still enjoyable. I like the guitar solo work going on in this album on particular songs such as this one. 4/5

5. Goodbye Again, Stunning intro, great song. You'll find yourself humming this tune "it's in your mind, it's in your eyes, so it's goodbye again". Good composition of song and song is carried out well all the way through to the end. 5/5

6. Echo, Track begins very well & this song has a great chorus "echo, echo, we come, we go". This song leads into some crunchy guitar work and band comes together well on this effort. 4.5/5

7. It's over, VH keep their tone pretty consistent no matter what the theme & they portray emotion rather well. 4/5

8. One If You is done brilliantly in the heavier tone, great electric guitar work & all instruments are played well to suit the song and the singing is superbly in tune, they got the formula right for a heavier song on this effort. 5/5

9. Won't Go Away is not a bad track but I feel that there is something lacking in terms of structure that allows this one to fall short off the mark & is just satisfactory. 3/5

10. Different approach, nice to hear a difference factor, Scannel's vocals during the early stages of this song sounds a lot like Stipe of R.E.M. However maybe could have done without making this one heavier & left it to sail like the course of the intro all the way through. 4.5/5

11. Under Water is a brilliant closer and again Scannel sounds a lot like Stipe of R.E.M. but only this song is done a lot better in the style he was hoping for & he managed to convey this one superbly. Great thing about this song, the pace of music is good, doesn't go overboard with trying to get heavy. 5/5.

Overall VH not a bad effort. Why 4/5 stars instead 5/5 = there is a lot of potential here & I believe you guys are more than capable of reaching to your peaks for your fans to see you truly shine. In terms of lyrics no doubt about it = 5/5.

Fans of VH may also enjoy the Remy Zero album "The Golden Hum." (especially the song "Perfect Memory").

This is a very good follow-up album to the previous "Everything you want" album.....Easily likeable....Would say that the songs in the album as a whole are like a combi of Running on Ice and Everything you want....(earlier acoustic works and the electric EYW album)....its the best of 2 worlds....you can now hear layers of synths in the background...

When you cry....

Highly recommended for VH fans.....melody and instrumentations are really good...