Back On Track by Robert Vaughn: A Genre-Hopping Joyride That’s Hard to Shake
Alright, let’s talk about Back On Track by Robert Vaughn—a little gem from 2005 that somehow slipped under the radar like a cat sneaking past a dog. This album is like a musical smoothie blending jazz, blues, and rock into something that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly unpredictable. Released independently (yep, no label boss breathing down his neck), Vaughn gives us an unfiltered peek into his creative brain. Spoiler alert: it’s a fun place to hang out.
Now, full disclosure—this tracklist has some repeats. “Hold On To Your Heart” and “Where Do We Go From Here” show up twice each, which either screams “I really love this song!” or “Oops, my bad.” Either way, I’m not mad at it because when you’ve got tunes this good, why not double dip?
Tracks That Stuck With Me
Let’s zoom in on two tracks that made me hit repeat more times than I care to admit:
1. “We’ll Get By”
This one hits different. It’s got this laid-back groove that feels like sipping coffee on a Sunday morning while pretending life isn’t falling apart outside your window. The guitar work here? Chef’s kiss. There’s a warmth to it, like Vaughn knows exactly how to tug at your heartstrings without being all melodramatic about it. You can hear hints of bluesy grit mixed with just enough jazz flair to keep things interesting. Honestly, if this song were a person, I’d want to grab lunch with it.
2. “Hilo Rising”
Okay, so this track is kinda weird—but in the best possible way. It starts off slow, almost hesitant, like it’s tiptoeing around until BAM! Suddenly, it explodes into this triumphant, soaring melody that makes you wanna throw your hands up and yell, “Take me to Hilo!” Even though I have no idea where Hilo is. Is it a real place? A metaphor? A snack food? Who cares! The energy shift is electric, and it leaves you feeling like you just survived a rollercoaster ride but still wanna go again.
Random Thoughts & Final Musings
One thing I gotta say—Robert Vaughn clearly doesn’t play by anyone else’s rules. Releasing an album without a big-name label? Bold move. Doubling down on certain tracks? Bold-er move. But somehow, it works. Maybe it’s the raw honesty oozing out of every note, or maybe it’s just that Vaughn knows how to craft melodies that stick to your brain like gum on a hot sidewalk.
If I had to nitpick, I’d say the album could benefit from a bit more variety in tempo. Some sections feel like they’re cruising along at the same speed, but hey, who am I to complain when the ride’s this enjoyable?
So, would I recommend Back On Track? Absolutely. It’s the kind of album that reminds you music doesn’t need flashy production tricks or TikTok virality to leave a mark. Just solid songwriting and soulful performances will do the trick.
And now for my parting thought: If Robert Vaughn ever decides to re-release this album with bonus tracks, I hope he includes one called “Why Did I Name Two Songs Twice?” Because seriously, dude, we need answers.
Rating: 8/10 – Worth every penny you didn’t spend since it probably flew under everyone’s radar anyway.
