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Vertical Horizon has targeted August 11th for the release of their highly anticipated new album Burning The Days, which features the hit single “Save Me From Myself.”  The album not only marks the return of the band that’s been on a five year hiatus, but also a shift in the writing style of front man Matt Scannell.
 
“I have been reaching, trying to get better [at songwriting] and I feel that there is a real development,” Scannell told Alternative Addiction in a recent interview.  “It feels to me like a really strong step forward.”
 
Scannell says that on albums he’s written in the past he has always drawn inspiration from dark places in his life, and discarded other inspirations.
 
“The strangest thing for me was about trying to find a balance as a writer, because I am really personally in a pretty good place, [but] I am someone who thrives on writing when I am in my darkest moments,” Scannell explained.    “If there was a time when I felt like if I was writing something that was sending a fairly positive message or a feeling of happiness, I would reject the idea.”
 
After writing so many years in this style, Scannell began to realize that having to draw inspiration from dejected times in his life was a miserable way to live, and decided that it was time to make a change in his song writing approach.
 
“I didn’t want to have my art be harnessed to my unhappiness,” says Scannell.  “So there are a couple songs on this record that really come from a place of being full as opposed to being empty.”
 
But don’t expect Scannell to start singing about sunshine and lollipops just because of the change in his writing style, he says that the band’s songs will always showcase a mix of emotions.
 
“For me there is always going to be some gray to my music as opposed to being all black or white,” Scannell explained. “I’ve never liked songs that are all positive or all negative because I don’t think that is the way life is.”
 
Scannell says this album doesn’t just represent a shift lyrically, but musically as well.   
 
“There is a lot more variety and quite a few different artistic moods on this record - almost different sonic landscapes, says Scannell.  “A lot of these songs feel like a faster tempo than anything we’ve ever done before.”
 
Scannell says he’s also drawn an influence from a lot of dance oriented music and the prominent use of the kick drum for this record.  He says the band has fused those sounds with their guitar driven rock to create a very unique feel – at least for Vertical Horizon.
 
“Obviously bands like the Killers and others are using that these days, but I don’t think we have ever done anything like that.”
 
Scannell and the band are currently out promoting the album’s first single “Save Me From Myself” which has already spent 4 weeks at the top of the AA Top 20, at several radio stations around the country. 
 
Following the release of the album on August 11th, Scannell says the band will hit the road for a full tour this fall, including dates in Asia sometime next year.

Listen To Alternative Addiction’s Interview with Matt Scannell
Links:
More on Vertical Horizon on Alternative Addiction

Comments:

Awh well, personally I think Matt's an amazing writer and will churn out only the best for this album. The leaked songs sounded great to me though..I can barely wait :O
Posted by Chrissi on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 at 11:35:06 AM

the leaked "album" was actually a few newer demos mixed with some "Go" era demos that never got recorded for the album. so I'm sure the new record will be much better, it would have to be, the demos were far worse than "Go" and that was a pretty weak record
Posted by Ryan on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 at 12:05:16 AM

Really looking forward to the album - I've heard the leaked version and it is excellent. Expecting the final version to be further polished. Brilliant music - vastly underrated band!
Posted by Joesy on Monday, June 08, 2009 at 3:20:02 PM

You Go Girl! The album (leaked) sounds quite good. But it is not as good as 'Everything You Want'. They could do way better. But probably, there will never be another album as good as 'Everything You Want'.
Posted by Kaspar.W on Sunday, June 07, 2009 at 10:22:58 AM

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