There & Back Again

Vertical Horizon | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 20, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 1992
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Task Records
• ASIN: B002NULL6C
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #208,583 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Trying to Find Purpose

2. Children's Lullaby

3. Footprints in the Snow

4. Love's Light

5. The Mountain Song

6. Prayer for an Innocent Man

7. Lines Upon Your Face [For the Aylesbury Road Gang]

8. Willingly

9. On the Sea

10. Liberty

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Joy, April 25, 2000

By 

C. Burgess "chico_bkny" (Brooklyn, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: There & Back Again (Audio CD)

Recent fans of VH may think it's crazy that Matt Scannell and Keith Kane both cite James Taylor as one of their major musical influences, but their affinity for his style come through clearly on "There and Back Again," their debut album. Like JT, their songs are heartfelt and personal, and they are perfectly matched with complicated fingerwork on their accoustic guitars. The difference here is the harmonies. Matt and Keith have different, but extremely complimentary voices. When they are harmonizing on songs like "The Mountain Song" and "Willingly," the sound is pure magic. Both guys are great songwriters and musicians, and these songs are just beautiful.

"On The Sea" (in a very different form) is the only song from this CD that concertgoers will still hear from VH. The band has changed considerably since this album with the addition of electric guitars and a rhythm section, but recent fans would do themselves a favor to buy this album to see the roots of "Everything You Want." It's a gem.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely a must have!, November 26, 1999

By 

Tiffany (Columbia, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: There & Back Again (Audio CD)

I bought this Cd in 1994, and although the band has changed and grown since then, I will always come back to this one. I've probably listened to it over a thousand times over the years. I can't even express in words how incredible this album is; if you like acoustic music and lyrics full of meaning and emotion, this is a must have. I love every song, especially "Trying to Find Purpose". The songs are very powerful and moving; very melodious. I'd recommend it to anyone!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely, Absolutely Fabulous, June 25, 2002

By 

Jace Rhee (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: There & Back Again (Audio CD)

In 1995 in Austin, TX, some friends took me to the White Rabbit on Sixth Street to listen to two guys play acoustic guitars. They, of couse, were Vertical Horizon. I had never heard of them before, but wow, the show was incredible.

Since that concert, I have been a big fan. "Everything You Want" was their big breakout record. It's not a bad record, but I admit that I got disenchanted with their live shows after that release. They were loud and electric and lost all of the soul that their earlier shows had. Did these guys sell out? That's what I am wondering.

Anyway, this record is a reminder of what they were before they became household names. All these reviews say the same thing -- the music is folksy. Well, I am not disagreeing. It has some grassroots sound, but what struck me so much was the songwriting. Good stuff. It's a pretty mellow, melancholy record.

It sounds silly, but some of the lyrics just bring tears to my eyes. "Trying to Find Purpose"...I mean, any guy in the world probably can relate to that song sometime in their life. It could be called, "There's something better out there, I know it, and I'll find it someday with you at my side." My favorite one is "Love's Light". It stikes a chord with me. This one could be called, "You and I are so good together, but you can't see that, so I need to let you go before I become an emotional wreck."

For those who are VH fans because of "Everything You Want", then take this review with a grain of salt. The styles are quite different. But the songs here are great, writing is great, just something to listen to on a lazy afternoon.