Search - Virginia Coalition :: Home This Year

Home this year embodies the sentiment implied by its title.

Christopher Hepfer | Chambersburg, Pa USA | 03/22/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When Virginia Coalition's first single, "Sing Along," from "Home this year" hit the internet some four months ago, I was worried. As a Virginia Coalition fan of epic proportions I was somewhat disappointed by the more folk influenced song writing. I was afraid they may have disregarded their soulful style all together. I thought this is not the riff-happy, fun-loving band I know and love.



Several months later, I finally got a hold of the new album, and I must say at first, I was still a little disappointed. I kept listening and wondering where is this album's "Mista Banks" or "Walk to Work". For that matter, where is the soulful guitar leads and quick piano work. However, as I stated I am a loyal Virginia Coalition fan so I continued to listen. It didn't take long for me to realize that "Home this year" is arguably their best work. In fact, I even found some of the guitar work to be more interesting then past efforts, and the piano work is exactly what it should be, tight and melodic. I figured out that the song writing style isn't really that different either. If you listen carefully the catchy riffs are still present, but blended with other delicious riffs and chord plays. Together the instruments create a more subtle melodic sound. The hooks are undoubtedly written for the radio, but there is no shame in that, the music is still well crafted and original. For the remainder of the review, I am going to briefly describe each of the ten tracks on the album.



1. Home this year- A nice mellow song about the loneliness of traveling constantly. The nice touches here include a melancholy Wurlitzer part, smooth finger picked guitar work, and heart felt lyrics.



2.Santa Fe- Definitely one of the high lights on the album; Santa Fe has it all, great lyrics, vocals, and performances. If you mixed together VACO, Counting Crows, and an early John Mayer track, you would have this song. The Counting Crows would make sense since their mandolin player is also featured on this track. I'd also like to point out that Paul (Piano) plays a mean banjo on this song.



3.Stars Align- When stripped down, this is basically a typical G, C, D song. However, the banjo, tight bass line, piano, and wonderful vocals by singer Andy Poliakoff make this track a pleasant listen. Also, there is a pretty neat muted guitar part that puts me in the mind set of an old Al Jarreau record.



4. Not Scared- A great slow song with a finger picked guitar part reminiscent of

an acoustic Fleetwood Mac song. Poliakoff's vocals are in top form here.



5. Same Page- At first I didn't know what to think of this song, but after a few listens I was hooked. I love the lyrics. "I saw a story in the paper I was reading... I saw the poison in the air we were breathing, I saw, I saw it... If we all get on the same page...



6. Sing Along- A catchy song about coping with life and what it throws at you. The highlight of this song for me is hearing Virginia Coalition backed with a string section equipped with pizzicato fun.



7. Lately- This is an upbeat pop tune that has a very interesting sound. It seems to intertwine seamlessly through country, soul, and even beach boys like harmonies.



8. A Desperate Way- This is my personal favorite song. It's a song about chasing after someone dear to you. I can relate on every level. This song seamlessly incorporates straight Stevie wonder style soul with a match box twenty style chorus. If that's not a recipe for catchy then I don't know what is. The acoustic guitar, bass line, and Wurlitzer are all in top form here.



9. Look My Way- This is probably the most "fun" song on the CD. The song is carried by a very soulful Hammond organ. You can also expect some nice harmonies later on in the song.



10. I got this one- This is a very pretty piano based song. For me this song is all about the lyrics. "I pawned my piano to pay for lessons. I burned down the church to atone for transgressions. I'm not the one you run to for the answer to most questions, but I got this one." I think everyone can relate to that.



In conclusion, if you like feel good music, from the heart lyrics, and great melodies, look no further. If you are a VACO junkie like me, then make sure to give this album a good listen because Home This Year is by far their most consistent album. Every song flows with the next, and they are all fantastic songs. Don't allow yourself to get hung up on the fact that its not a party album. Keep in mind that you can always go back and listen to their old stuff and that a band has the right to evolve, and evolve they have!

"

They went mainstream. Damnit!

J. D. Waks | California | 04/17/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Virginia Coalition has released an album that is void of their previous originality and doesn't lend to their live energy. The CD is reminiscent of O.A.R.'s shift into the mainstream as they release their first music video for the single "Sing Along" which basically just shows people making out the whole time. Also similar to O.A.R., it is not a bad album through and through. The title song as well as "Santa Fe" and others are very well written and musically composed. However, they are not that unique. I truly mourn the loss of VACO's experimental edge which, unfortunately but predictably, kept them from becoming widely known. Even more so, I lament the loss of the live VACO experience. I just saw them open up for the Beautiful Girls and they played mostly songs off of this new CD - it was subpar. I was hoping that they would spice the songs up live as they have done with their way older stuff such as "Motown" "Likeness" and "Green an Grey", but this new material just doesn't cut it."