Audio CD review:
Virginia Coalition - Colors of the Sound

Virginia Coalition - Colors of the Sound

Band: Virginia Coalition Title: Colors of the Sound Rating: Release Date: 21 January, 2003 Media: Audio CD Tracks:

Customer Reviews If you can find it, get it! Both the melodies and lyrics appeal to me. This first, independently released album from the Virginia Coalition may not be as slick as their later releases, but it remains my favorite--somewhat more eclectic and interesting, to my mind, than the later albums (though I'm quite fond of them, as well). "The End of the Road" remains my favorite track, one I nearly always feel the urge to repeat. "Spare Change" is probably the catchiest tune on here--the one that persuaded me to buy the album after hearing the band live in 1999. This is one of the few albums that I can listen to all the way through, without wanting to skip over any tracks. If you can get your hands on this album, do so!. Beauty and Sadness 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. Originally released independently in 1998, COLORS OF THE SOUND is the first album by Virginia Coalition (affectionately known as VACO to their fans). 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. . You can see a complete list of all Virginia Coalition discography, or go back to the Virginia Coalition tabs