There and Back Again

AMG Review of There and Back Again

JT Griffith
All Music Guide

The members of Vertical Horizon often cite James Taylor as a major influence on their music. Originally released in 1992, There and Back Again is folksier than their major-label breakthrough. It will be popular among fans of Train and Jackopierce, who contributed to 1995's Running on Ice, but may not appeal to those who like the harder-edged Everything You Want. There and Back Again is marked by vocal harmonies and melodic acoustic guitar. Standout tracks include "The Mountain Song" and "Willingly." An interesting look at Vertical Horizon's early roots, but it would be a mistake to expect that the band's best work would be on this early self-released album. Of interest mainly to die-hard completists. RCA released its version of the album in 1999.