Is it just me or has there been a recent spate of groups following the likes of the Goo Goo Dolls and Foo Fighters? Everyone is sounding so alike it is hard to differentiate now. Don’t be mistaken; each group is impressive in their own way. But from the bowels of Georgetown comes an outburst of guitars topped with meaningful lyrics.
Vertical Horizon was formed in 1991 when lead vocalist Keith Kane, who is also on guitars, met Matt Scannell, the band’s keyboardist (also on vocals and guitars) at an undergrad party. Drummer and percussionist Ed Toth was very impressed by the group when he saw them performing in Boston and took the opportunity to audition for the band when their drummer left. But it was not until 1998 when bass guitarist Sean Hurley hopped on the bandwagon to form the foursome we see today as Vertical Horizon.
"Everything You Want" is, officially, their debut LP after they reissued three previous albums. I was first drawn to their lyrics, made saddened by striking guitar strokes and a tinge of melancholy in lead singer Keith Kane’s voice, as impressionable as his clean-shaven head featured on their album front. "I say all the right things/At exactly the right time/But I mean nothing to you and I don’t know why". You can almost sense the emotional roller coasters of the band as they bring you through each track, complaining about unrequited love, betrayal, the like.
"Everything You Want" relates the negative side of love, and prolonged listening can get the tracks into a drone. Nonetheless, it is an album alternative fans should enjoy.
