Customer Reviews

Blister Soul

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This thing is a masterpiece; a radio-ready collection of brilliantly written, tightly played American folk rock, with uncommonly penetrating lyrics. Alternating between kick-*** rock energy, beautiful heartache and even a tad bit of Southern- Fried-Pop Gospel, this CD is a great introduction to the greatest unsung American band out there today. If you dig Americana rock of any sort, (early-Petty, R.E.M., Wilco, etc.), you owe it to yourself to buy this one. This is truly music that is good for the soul.

"Blister Soul" the fifth Vigilnates Of Love album has a very hard guitar edge not found on any previous releases. The heavy crunch of the electric guitars on "5 Miles Outside Of Monroe" could not be classified as Metal, but it's obvious, with this cd, the band had shed their folk-rock persona. Even "Real Down Town," has a slightly stronger backbone to it then when it was originally released on "Killing Floor." Of course, that may have more to do with John Keane's production work than a change in the style of the band's music, but one listen to cuts like "Unsucessful" or "Bethlehem Steel" is evidence enough to indicate that the Vigilantes have entered a new phase of their musical journey. There's even a lot of electricity running through the strings of the quieter acoustic cuts.

Unlike his pictures inside the cd cover, touring for this album finds lead singer, Bill Mallonee, sporting long, blonde hair (dyed?) and wearing a leather jacket. With only two other bandmates along for this concert ride, the live sound they produced with just guitar, bass, and drums was even louder and harder than on the cd. (But who are those other guys photographed with Bill for the cd liner and posters? Photo-session models?)

Speaking of cd liners, I find this cover to be the coolest of the five realeases up to that point (1995). Especially the back cover with the guy (in anguish?) looking skyward, holding his shirt wide open to reveal the words "blister soul," in black letters, scrawled like graffiti across the tan skin of his bare chest. The red blotch above his thin choker necklace implys to the imagination a hint of blood. The photographer added to the creative effect by obscuring most of the persons face off the edge of the cover.

Apparently someone believed that "Real Down Town" was hit material. Not only was it recorded on 1992's "Killing Floor," and 95's "Blister Soul," they also realeased it alone on a single, and on a four song promotional EP called "Blister." Then later included it on the VOL compilation cd (best of). But wait, it dosen't stop there, once again it is being promoted on "VOL Rare Singles Pack (5 Discs)" available through Paste Magazine at Pastemusic.com for thirteen bucks (Only five songs, one per disc. They're the original singles from the Capricorn vault.)

I advise you to buy the cd "Blister Soul" and crank up the song "Blister Soul." It's a great song and deserves its position as the first track. But before you do, program the last track, "Blister Soul (reprise)" to play second. Its a fantastic acoustic cut, and except for the over-all emotional appeal and the one chorus line, its a completely different song. These two songs, one electric, one acoustic could be symbolically representative of the entire VOL sound from 1990 to 2000.

One of the other stand-out tunes is "Skin." Its got a mellow melody and contains classic Mallonee lyrics. After all, ts all in the words and the music, two things that this band have always been professionals at.

This CD is typical of VOL: EXCELLENT! I bought this album after their new one had come out (to the Roof of the Sky, which I Love) and I was very impressed! Bill Mallonee, lead singer and songwriter is one of the best out there.

BILL MALLONEE IS A SONG WRITER WITHOUT PEER WHO CREATES MUSIC THAT IS AN EVOCATION OF PLACES, TIMES, MOODS AND MEMORIES. START WITH THIS THEN CHECK OUT THEIR BRAND NEW INDEPENDENT CD "TO THE ROOF OF THE SKY"---THEIR BEST OFFERING YET.

Bill Mallonee has never sounded better than on "Blister Soul." "Skin" became an instant favorite. This album is rich in textures, poor in cliches. Bill's turn of a lyric phrase is unparalleled. A landmark album in the realm of progressive Christian music.

Killing Floor was a burst of brilliance, a haunted mix of punk's urgency with the depth and sorrow of southern folk. Welcome to Struggleville was quite a step down, mostly wallowing in a weak production that seemed to have its eyes (and ears) on AAA radio. Strong songs drowned within the results. Now, Blister Soul.

Two of the songs on here deserve to be heard. Skin is simply the best song yet from VOL, while 5 Miles Outside Monroe is a fantastic straight-ahead, all barrels blazing rocker. I wish, I really wish, there was more here to recommend this CD. The fact is, this time around, the production has made a recovery only to find the songs have weakened. It is particularly jarring that Skin, VOL's best song, is followed by Offer, hands-down the saddest, sorriest, most banal song ever to limp from one of this band's CDs. Cliches melded to a weak, sing-a-long melody make the positive message here seem coy.

And this drives the nails into this disc. Two excellent songs cannot save a faulty album, especially when one of the tunes is available on VOL, the compilation album, in much better company.

Sad and bitterly disappointing.