| Burning the Days | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 22, 2009 | |||
| Recorded | Los Angeles, California [1] | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock | |||
| Length | 51:24 | |||
| Label | Outfall Records | |||
| Producer | Matt Scannell | |||
| Vertical Horizon chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Vertical Horizon | ||||
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Burning the Days is the fifth studio album from the band Vertical Horizon, released on September 22, 2009.
Following the multi-platinum success of their 1999 album, Everything You Want , the members of Vertical Horizon were disappointed with what they felt was a lack of support from RCA in promoting their 2003 follow-up, Go . [2] Go failed to gain any real support from RCA, but despite the label's lack of interest in Go, Vertical Horizon had difficulty getting released from its contract. [3] [4] Despite setbacks, the group and label severed their relationship when RCA merged with Sony Music in 2004, after which Vertical Horizon signed with Hybrid Recordings, where Go was re-released as Go 2.0 in 2005. [5]
Shortly after the release of Go 2.0, longtime drummer Ed Toth announced he was leaving Vertical Horizon to join The Doobie Brothers. [5]
After an extended hiatus, work began on Burning the Days in 2007. [3] [6] Scannell took a different approach to the record by working at his home studio, and created his label, Outfall Records, to release Burning the Days. [3] Though free of any external pressures, Scannell felt the need to be cautious with the recording: "You have the freedom to be a little creative when you're not working against the clock, but at the same time you can be a little too lenient, and spending an awful lot of time." [3]
Scannell also worked with outside musicians while writing and recording Burning the Days, which included drummer Neil Peart from Rush, and singer/songwriter Richard Marx. Peart played drums on three songs: "Even Now", "Save Me from Myself" and "Welcome to the Bottom", and wrote the lyrics to "Even Now". [1] [7] [8] Scannell asked Peart if he would be interested in playing drums on the song, and Peart responded, "No one else can play drums on it — I won’t let anyone else play drums on it. I have to play the drums on it." [8] Marx played piano on "Here" and produced Scannell's vocals on two of the album's songs. [9]
As with Go, longtime singer/guitarist Keith Kane is largely absent from Burning the Days, only being credited with performing harmony vocals on the album. [10] Scannell has insisted that Kane's minimal involvement in the recording of the album was not due to any tension between the two, explaining that Kane's limited involvement has been a part of the changing dynamics within the group that's naturally progressed through the years starting with their first album: "[W]ith There and Back Again , the album was purposefully half Keith's songs and half my songs. And what started happening, quickly as we started progressing as a band, is that my output of songs just started greatly increasing. Keith’s input started slowing down, and I think that is evident with Running on Ice ." [10] Over the years Kane has always stated contentment with his role in the band, and Scannell's as frontman. Kane stopped touring with the band in 2010 to work on solo projects.
According to an interview with Matt Scannell for Songfacts, he wrote "All Is Said and Done" about control freaks. [11]
"All Is Said and Done" was first revealed on the band's MySpace page in November 2008. [12] The album was released on September 22, 2009, [3] on the band's label, Outfall Records. [13] The lead single, "Save Me from Myself", was made available to download for free as an mp3 upon the album's release on their SellMerch page. [14]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [15] |
| Alternative Addiction |  [16] |
| Los Angeles Times | [17] |
The album's reception was mixed. AllMusic praised the album for its "immaculate production" and its progressive rock elements introduced on the tracks that featured contributions by Neil Peart. [18] Alternative Addiction praised the album for its lyrics and guitar work, calling it "a perfect showcase for Vertical Horizon’s return to the spotlight, and could easily be one of the best albums of 2009." [16] The Los Angeles Times was less enthusiastic, feeling that the album felt "flat and lifeless", and paled in comparison to Third Eye Blind's 2009 comeback album Ursa Major . [17]
All songs written by Matt Scannell, except where noted.
Vertical Horizon
| Additional personnel
| Production
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Neil Ellwood Peart was a Canadian and American musician, known as the drummer and primary lyricist of the rock band Rush. He was known to fans by the nickname 'The Professor', derived from the Gilligan's Island character of the same name. His drumming was renowned for its technical proficiency and his live performances for their exacting nature and stamina. Peart earned numerous awards for his musical performances, including an induction into the Modern Drummer Readers Poll Hall of Fame in 1983 at the age of thirty, making him the youngest person ever so honoured.
Vertical Horizon is an American alternative rock band, formed in Washington, D.C. Vocalists and guitarists Matt Scannell and Keith Kane started the band in 1991 when they were students at Georgetown University. The band have undergone multiple line-up changes since their formation, with Scannell overseeing every iteration as the band's leader. Vertical Horizon are best known for their Billboard number one single "Everything You Want", the title track to their third studio album. Other notable singles from the band's career include "You're a God", "Best I Ever Had ", and "I'm Still Here".
Alkaline Trio is an American punk rock band from Chicago. The band's current members are Matt Skiba, Dan Andriano, and Atom Willard (drums).
There and Back Again was the first album by Vertical Horizon, released independently in 1992, and later re-released in 1999 by RCA Records. At the time, the band consisted solely of Matthew Scannell and Keith Kane, who together did all the writing, singing, and producing for the album, as well as playing all instruments used. The name was taken from the subtitle of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Running on Ice is the second album by Vertical Horizon, released independently in 1995, and later re-released by RCA. It was produced by John Alagia, Doug Derryberry and Matt Scannell. Though still technically a duo and acoustic based, Running on Ice featured many guest musicians, giving the album more of a full band sound. Derryberry also contributed keyboards and vocals. Two of the album's songs appeared on the 2nd Aware Compilation.
Live Stages is a live album by Vertical Horizon, released by Rhythmic Records in early 1997, and later re-released by RCA Records. This album was recorded live at Ziggy's in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It featured mostly songs from the band's second album, Running on Ice,, as well as new material. This was the first Vertical Horizon album to feature Matt Scannell more prominently on electric guitar, and also the first to include drummer Ed Toth. Ryan Fisher played bass.
Everything You Want is the third studio album by Vertical Horizon and its first major label effort. Released in 1999, it was a breakthrough album for the band. Four singles were released from the album. The second single, "Everything You Want", became one of the most played singles of 2000, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2001, the album was certified double platinum by the RIAA, having sold two million copies in the United States, making it the band's best selling album.
Go is the fourth studio album by alternative rock band Vertical Horizon. The album, a follow-up to the band's double platinum Everything You Want, continues to expand upon the band's alternative and pop rock sound while moving into more hard rock directions as well. Recorded in early 2002, the album was ready as early as that August, but was instead delayed extensively due to restructuring at the band's label, RCA Records. The album was released over a year later on September 23, 2003. The singles off the album were "I'm Still Here", "Forever", and "When You Cry".
Three Days Grace is a Canadian rock band formed in Norwood, Ontario, in 1992 originally as Groundswell. Groundswell played in various local Norwood backyard parties and area establishments before disbanding in 1995 and regrouping in 1997 under its current name.
SR-71 was an American rock band formed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1998. They are best known for their 2000 single "Right Now", their 2002 single "Tomorrow", and as the original authors of Bowling for Soup's 2004 hit "1985". The name of the band came from SR-71 Blackbird, a supersonic surveillance aircraft of the United States Air Force. The band was originally known as Honor Among Thieves, and as was later the case with SR-71, lead singer Mitch Allan was the only constant member.
Edward Arthur Toth is an American musician and drummer for The Doobie Brothers, an American rock band. Toth joined the Doobie Brothers in 2005 following his departure from Vertical Horizon.
Radford are an American alternative rock band from Los Angeles. Formed in 1997 by frontman Jonny Mead, Chris Hower (guitar), Bobby Stefano (bass), and Kane McGee (drums), the band has undergone several line-up changes since its formation. The current lineup features Mead, McGee, guitarist Sean Woolstenhulme, and bassist Soloman Snyder.
Duo is an acoustic album by Richard Marx and Vertical Horizon vocalist Matt Scannell. The disc was released on May 12, 2008, exclusively through RichardMarx.com, and was later made available for sale at their concerts together as well. Marx and Scannell exhibit both of their acclaimed works. Marx remade a version of "Always On Your Mind," for his 2008 album Sundown. The disc is predominantly done on acoustic guitar aside from the track "Give You Back" performed on piano.
"Everything You Want" is a song by American alternative rock band Vertical Horizon, the title track and second single from their third studio album. First released to alternative radio in October 1999, the single reached the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 on July 15, 2000, following a commercial release on June 27, 2000. It also peaked atop the Billboard Adult Top 40 and was Billboard's "Most Played Single" of 2000. It remains the band's most successful single.
Cavo is an American hard rock band from St. Louis, Missouri. Because of their sound and musical influences, they are sometimes classified as post-grunge as well as alt rock.
"You're a God" is a song by American rock band Vertical Horizon from their third studio album, Everything You Want. The single reached No. 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Two versions of the song exist: one featured on the album, the other featured in the music video and radio version, dubbed the "Pop Mix", mixed by Tom Lord-Alge.
Matthew Bennett Scannell is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. Scannell is the lead vocalist, lead guitarist, primary songwriter, and founding member of the alternative rock band Vertical Horizon.
Transit of Venus is the fourth studio album by Canadian rock band Three Days Grace. It was released on October 2, 2012 through RCA Records. The album is the band's first to be released under the record label, following the folding of their former label, Jive Records, in 2011. The album was produced by Don Gilmore and recorded at Revolution Studios in Toronto.
Echoes from the Underground is the sixth studio album from the band Vertical Horizon, released on October 8, 2013. "Broken Over You" was released as the lead single. Rush drummer Neil Peart played drums on two of the album's tracks.
The Lost Mile is the seventh studio album by Vertical Horizon. The album was released exclusively on digital platforms on February 23, 2018. It was released by Outfall Records, the independent label headed by frontman Matt Scannell.
