Burning The Days (CD)

Average Customer Review
( [1 customer review] ) 

Share your thoughts with other customers:
 [Submit your Review] 

Most Recent Customer Reviews

"Not Your Fathers Oldsmobile", September 20, 2009

By Ratkinsusa

Vertical Horizon - Burning the Days Album Review By Richard J. Atkins, Ed.D. “This is not your father’s Oldsmobile,” or so the ad campaign slogan said in the late 1980s. Pop culture has spun it into meaning, in general, that things change. Things do progress they evolve—however you want to say it. This notion holds true with Vertical Horizon’s latest release, Burning the Days. They’ve moved on from their acoustic-duo days, past the smash glory of “Everything You Want,” and have entered the music scene again with a hearty offering. This album of 12 tracks, is a stepping-stone a foray into a new era for the band—one in which they’re trying new things, on their terms (a veritable “take that” for the music industry). Emerging from a six-year silence, haunting double vocals on the first track warn the listener, “I want you to hear this.” The opening track, “All Is Said and Done” enters with a soundscape of intricate sound strata, dominated by exceptional vocals. OK, outstandingly exceptional vocals! There’s a lot going on in this song, as well as the rest of the album. Layers upon layers of sound, almost Gabriel-esque in style, only these guys know how to turn it up and rock. From that, “The Lucky One” is a musically and lyrically uplifting piece, drawing on what will become a familiar theme for the album, illumination (“May the light surround you”). Following the one-two punch, “The Middle Ground” introduces another common thread for the tracks, water (“Your touch is the water that gives and takes away”). Both offer the driving rhythms and dynamic swells that is signature for the band and fuel their live performances. Burning the Days, the album title, was inspired by the writings of James Salter and is given mention in both “I Believe in You” and “Carrying On.” In between the two, Rush drummer Neil Peart drives “Save Me From Myself,” the first single from the album. Rich with haunting imagery, the track paints pictures of being lost, all the while underscored by heavy playing. “Back To You” is the flip side of 2001’s “Give You Back,” only with a hell of a lot more edge. Call it Jagged Little Pill on testosterone. A spirited “Afterglow” revisits the light image and is a wonderfully positive expression of thankfulness for redemption. The last two tracks highlight Peart again as drummer. Welcome to the Bottom is just plain studio insanity. Peart drives the track harder than many of his epic motorcycle adventures. Complex in melodies, rich in texture, this song is a veritable sonic explosion. The album closes with “Even Now,” penned by Neil Peart, a heartfelt recollection of parity in a new life. Production credits for Burning the Days go to Matt Scannell. For previous albums, production was a shared commodity. As always, Keith Kane’s harmony vocals and Sean Hurley’s “big bass” and tasteful licks complete the signature sound. There are some true shining moments, for what may be, Scannell’s first fully self-produced collection (aside from some vocal production by Richard Marx). As an overall assembly, this latest Vertical Horizon release is a must-have for a fan, and an extremely worthwhile sample for the newer audience. Check it out. There are many memorable and moving tracks some destined to dominate radio playlists for quite a while. Vertical Horizon will be touring this fall. VerticalHorizon.com lists complete tour information as it becomes available.

Related Products
Matt Scannell & Richard Marx - DUO