Search - Virginia Coalition :: Colors of the Sound

Beauty and Sadness

Stephen E. Severn | Amarillo, TX United States | 02/05/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Originally released independently in 1998, COLORS OF THE SOUND is the first album by Virginia Coalition (affectionately known as VACO to their fans). Although looser and less polished than their other efforts when they had matured as a band and had access to superior recording equioment, COTS remains their most interesting and compelling work overall. It seemlessly combines a wide range of influences from straightforward, REM-like, alterna-rock to country and western to funk and go-go. If this seems like a mish-mash, don't worry: VACO pulls if off with ease. Much like the Band did on MUSIC FROM BIG PINK and THE BAND, the group members show off their musical prowess by covering multiple instruments and their gift for harmony is unmatched .Among the highlights are Andy Poliakoff's vocals on "Nicole's Song" and the simply stunning "The End of the Road." Paul Ottinger's baroque keyboards punctuate the weird, yet wonderful "The Waltz of Roosevelt and the Fat Lady," while Steve Dawson's wistful "A Bright Machine" remains the best thing they have ever done (and that's saying a lot). COTS will not just reach out and grab you in quite the same way that VACO's later CDs will, but once its quirky lyrical imagery, beautiful melodies and underlying sadness get under your skin, you simply cannot let it go."