Vigilantes of Love strike a blow for independence with the band's eighth release, the first issued without the help of any outside management or label interference. Produced, financed, and distributed by the band, To the R... more »oof of the Sky reveals Vigilantes of Love's roots-rock heart, from garage-rock stompers like "But Not for Long" to alt-country ballads like "This Time Isn't One of Them." Head Vigilante Bill Mallonee's lyrics draw from a wide source of literary and historical sources for songs that plumb the depths of the human condition. The title track is a haunting, country-tinged ode to George Mallory, who died ascending Mt. Everest. This and more personal songs, such as "Opposite's True" and "Farther up the Road," offer glimpses of spiritual insight that are long on human frailty and heavy on the constancy of Providence. --Brad Caviness« less
Vigilantes of Love strike a blow for independence with the band's eighth release, the first issued without the help of any outside management or label interference. Produced, financed, and distributed by the band, To the Roof of the Sky reveals Vigilantes of Love's roots-rock heart, from garage-rock stompers like "But Not for Long" to alt-country ballads like "This Time Isn't One of Them." Head Vigilante Bill Mallonee's lyrics draw from a wide source of literary and historical sources for songs that plumb the depths of the human condition. The title track is a haunting, country-tinged ode to George Mallory, who died ascending Mt. Everest. This and more personal songs, such as "Opposite's True" and "Farther up the Road," offer glimpses of spiritual insight that are long on human frailty and heavy on the constancy of Providence. --Brad Caviness
"The best thing that can be said about any record is that it impacts and connects with the listener in such a way as to actually become a part of their life, taking residence in the same nostalgic slice of memory as good friends and great conversation. I bought "To the Roof of the Sky" a couple weeks after it came out. Soon after it became my companion for a 1200-mile solo trek in my beat-up Toyota pickup truck. These songs made that long journey not just tolerable, but introspective and enjoyable. Great art has the power to do that. This is the real thing. Unqualified 5 stars."
The Indie Spirit of VOL
09/30/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I bought "To the Roof..." last year at this time, at a point when I was skeptical of the umpteenth new incarnation of VOL. Those of us who felt the previous "Slow Dark Train" was a solid but not splendid outing, will be enthralled with "To the Roof..." It is the album Mallonee fans have longed for since "Killing Floor".Full of do-it-yourself energy and road-weary regret, to mine its richest treasure is to climb inside, kick back, and watch it unfold. There's several full throttle garage/americana tunes ("But Not For Long", "Run Through My Veins", and "Perishable Goods"), but its the albums more somber mid to slow tempo tunes that really connect. The title track, "Isadora Duncan", "Farther up the Road", and "On the Verge" are some of the most touching and endearing songs Mallonee has written. Kenny Hustons excellent guitar work adds an element to VOL that has been sorely missing for years. I'm not one to throw around the word "classic" or to give a casual five star rating to any album, but "To the Roof of the Sky" certainly deserves it. It is one of the few 90's music additions to my all-time top ten list (keeping company next to Mark Heard's "Second Hand").No small feat.Essential."
My favorite living band
dan hawkins | Littleton, NC United States | 11/02/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It is hard to sum up the impact that Bill Mallonee's writing has had on me. Several years ago I came across Blister Soul in an used CD store. After listening to that album ten or so times I was hooked. Mallonee is one of the most honest songwriters around. By honest I mean this; He is honest about despair, and he is honest about hope. So many songwriters who write about their faith write like after conversion there are no problems. Mallonee's songs are songs of hope written in blood. Open a vein and take up a pen so to speak. This album seems to be (with the possible exception of Summershine their newest) to be the "happiest" album. The strenth of these songs is in their brutal honesty about the difficulty of existence, but the ability to hold that difficulty up to the light and find hope.This album is probobly my favorite VOL album of the ones I have (all except Slow Dark Train and Jugular). In my mind there are no songwriters to compare to Bill Mallonee except for the late Rich Mullins and Don Chaffer. As time has progressed, the intensity of feeling and ruthless honesty have remained hallmarks of his writing, but he seems to have focused the passion and anger (as a reviewer of Slow Dark Train notes) and is an even stronger songwriter now. This album or Audible Sigh would be my suggestions for a starting point, though many would argue that Killing Floor would be best. No matter what you start with, though, prepare yourself to have your inner secrets exposed, your mind challenged and your heart pierced..."
Musical Notes
Joseph McCarthy | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania United States | 04/03/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"If the Vigilantes Of Love are one of your favorite bands, you're a lucky listener. As a fellow fan, you know what I mean. They're a great band to hear - on disc or in concert. They get your toe tappin' to the music and your mind thinking about the lyrics. The singer's stories come from his heart, and you can feel it. This band runs through your veins."To The Roof Of The Sky" is an awesome tune. It's mellow. There is a certain slant of sadness to this slow song. It's a beautiful experience if you were ever fortunate enough to see and hear it done live by the Vigilantes. This song has a melancholy steel guitar swirling in the bacground, but it doesn't make you feel down, it makes you feel good.If you own any VOL cds that you like, if there are any of their songs that you love, then you owe it to yourself to buy "To The Roof Of The Sky." It's a good cd. This may be their one disc that does it for you. It may have so many good tunes on it that you'll want to kiss me for encouraging you to get it. Don't be paralyzed, Amazon may be out of stock, but you can click on the link to "used" cds and break out your wallet. I'll let you think about it, but not for long.I think nine of the songs on this album are good. The other six are good to listen to, but I listen to the others first. Check out "Doin' Time," and "Avalanche." Then there's "This Time Isn't One Of Them," that cut alone is worth the price of the cd.This album came out after Blister Soul, and Slow Dark Train. But there is no heavy guitar work on this release that compares to the loud stuff on those previous two. If that's what you're looking for, play "Filigree," "Proving Ground," and ("Please) Leave Me The Bones" first. But they really don't even come close to the other blasting stuff of 1995 and '97. With this album, the Vigilantes are back to their roots. But don't say they aren't bearing fruit, because the opposite's true.Bill Mallonee writes all the songs and sings his heart out. He plays the guitar with talent. He's the real deal and all of his words are honest. Listen to him and enjoy."