Vigilantes of Love
Killing Floor
Ahhhh. The Vigilantes of Love. Killing Floor my was introduction to this amazing band.
Fronted by Bill Mallonee, this album was produced by Peter Buck from REM, and the late Mark Heard.
It was an amazing album that introduced me to what would later become
known as Alt-Americana. Whatever the label, it is a definite classic for me.
Bill Mallonee has the gift of expressing stories through music and Killing Floor deals with a
wide range of topics. Mallonee has the ability to express what others are afraid to say. His lyrics rival Dylan,
and the heartache and heartbreak are present here in abundance.
The opening track "Real Down Town"
is a poke and a jab at the music industry, something that Bill is all to familiar with the 'ins' and 'outs' of, and painfully
so. Songs like "River of Love"
and "Motel Room" have a tangible sadness that still shines with the hope of redemption.
Bill is an experienced writer, and writes from the things that he has seen or studied. His nod to
Eleanor Roosevelt is heard on the song "Eleanor", and in true Mallonee fashion puts the listeners in the shoes of how difficult
the personal life of this first lady might have been. "Undertow" and "Deep End" were taken from his experience working
at a psychiatric hospital, which must have provided some pretty good inspiration because the lyrical imagery is amazing.
To find a writer who writes from what they have seen and experienced
always has a fluid sense of storytelling behind it.
My favorite track on the album is "Sick of it All". The lyrics are tangible and the story is about how
this life and just the obstacles of everyday living can be overwhelming at times. I love how Bill is not afraid to tackle
a subject or say the things that most of us think, but don't have the fortitude to come out and say. "Earth Has No Sorrow
(Heaven Can't Heal)" means exactly what it says.
This album also has eight other tracks that deal with many of the aforementioned subjects. The bonus
on this album is that the re-released version has four live tracks that were recorded when Bill played the famous, now defunct,
CBGB's. The live tracks are stand out and a testament of how tight Bill's live shows really are. On Bill's website
you can purchase the original release of Killing Floor at a really great price. This release is a must have for any
fan and a great introduction if you have never listened to Bill before.
Check it out!!!
Broken Again
