Customer Reviews

Slow Dark Train

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The V.O.L. album that MUST BE PLAYED LOUD to be appreciated! After the brilliantly produced masterpiece "Blister Soul" didn't make the big splash it deserved to, it appears V.O.L. had a lot less cash to work with on Slow Dark Train, their follow-up studio album. The band does their best to turn this to their advantage by cranking out Southern post-punk garage rock songs of despair held in check only by day-to-day faith in God. They mostly succeed, and the album is full of excellent hooks, in addition to Bill Mallonee's typically inspired lyrical genius: "I was drowning in/complancy's cheap perfume/yeah, licking my wounds..." is one of many indellible verses. Unfortunately, the somewhat canned sound of the album lets down the material at times -- several songs cry out to have the sonic force of Neil Young's "Mirror Ball" or "Ragged Glory" albums, others the polish of "Blister Soul," but SDT's production just doesn't quite hit that level. Two or three of the best songs here can be heard to much better effect on V.O.L.'s "Live at the 40 Watt."

That said, with songs written by one of the best rock songwriters ever, Slow Dark Train is a MUST for any fan of this incredible band. I would suggest the live album, the self-titled compilation or, best of all, Blister Soul, as a better entry point for newcomers. Then, after you inevitably become a V.O.L. fan, you will come back and buy this CD.

This is a most excellent CD. I actually bought this after I bought 'To the Roof of the Sky' and found it unlike that CD in many ways. Initially I only liked a few of the songs. After I listened to it a few times I loved it as much as 'Roof.' My favorites are 'Judas Skin' and 'Hang on Every Word.' The songs are haunting and melancholic, much like 'To the Roof...' but in a different way.

Vigilantes of Love frontman Bill Mallonee has called Slow Dark Train his "testament to despair," and it fits. When the record isn't raging against corrupt record labels, false friends, and human nature itself, it finds Mallonee weeping in a motel room over his own fallenness and inability to follow the truth.

The opening triumverate--"Locust Years," "Tokyo Rose," "Black Crow"--is about is hard and angry as VOL is ever likely to be, but from there, the band retreats back into more identifiable territory with the Dylan-esque "Only a Scratch." Some songs work--"Points of My Departure" is a winner, and "Judas Skin" is Mallonee's most heartbreaking song to date--and some don't, like the painfully misplaced remake of "Love Cocoon" and "Hang on Every Word," which just can't decide where it's going. Still, Slow Dark Train is a fine album, and while the first-time listener will be better off with Killing Floor or Blister Soul, they should come to this one third.

This album came as a shock to many longtime VOL fans. The opening chords of "Locust Years" are thunderous & pounding (very bass heavy.) Its not until track 4 "Only a Scratch" that the more melodic and folky side of VOL appears on this album. There are some fantastic, challenging songs on this album. Lead singer/songwriter/guitarist Bill Mallonee's words are just as potent as ever, and I like this album because I feel it contains some of his most challenging lyrics. Tracks like "Version of the Truth," "Sitting," "Willingly" and "Judas Skin" will shake you to the core if you deal honestly with yourself. With Mallonee, however, there's always balance. Hope is evident with songs like "All the Mercy We Have Found," & "Only a Scratch." The heaviness of this album is indicitive of the turmoil the band was experiencing during this time (record company troubles, etc...) Even in situations like that Mallonee is able to work his typical magic. I like to think of his philosophy as... "When life hands you a pile of crud, sculpt something beautiful out of it."

Bill Mallonee, under the moniker Vigilantes of Love, has been putting out albums since the early 90's. Ranging from gentle folk to harsh and abrasive rock and roll, Mallonee's career is a close to flawless as it comes. "Slow Dark Train" is no exception. It is one of the finest albums, both musically and lyrically, that I've heard in a long time. It stands alongside the work of Mark Heard and Bob Dylan as a great work by a truly great songwriter. I can't think of a way to describe this album to give it justice. You just have to hear vigilantes of Love. So get this album and let it speak to you.

"On my own again / On my slow dark train / Why is it that I'm found / In my Judas skin / Spinning down?"

Peace, Joey

Without doubt, Bill Mallonee is the best singer-songwriter around today. SDT is by far the best album I've heard. A combination of powerful rock and moving ballads. Every song says something to the listener (not often encountered in these days of rehashing old songs into mindless rap). My favorite on the album (and of all Bill's albums) is Judas Skin. I'm amazed that someone can be so articulate and humble. Keep the music coming Bill.

After listening to Bill Mallonee's solo album "Locket Full Of Moonlight" I began exploring some of his other music. This was the first Vigilantes of Love album I purchased. As usual, Bill's brilliance with words is found throughout the 14 tracks.

Tha album begins with too songs that are loud and grab the listener's attention. Either one of "Locust Years" or "Tokyo Rose" would have indeed made a better single than "Love Cocoon". There are more Americana rock songs than most of the previous releases spread throughout the album. The previously mentioned "Love Cocoon" is actually a very unique, catchy tune and the version on SDT is definately an upgrade over the more folksy rendition done on the first VoL album, "Jugular".
The slowest songs on SDT are "Only A Scratch" and the confessional "Judas Skin". They are reflective, contemplative, sombre songs, "What is it that I fear?/Why is it I don't trust?/Hiding out becomes career/What am I covering up?".
Perhaps the only addition I would like on this album is one of Bill's great "long" songs, like "Parting Shot" or "Skin" off of "Blister Soul". Still, the other songs make up for this, especially "Only A Scratch". While many fans seem to point to "Audible Sigh" as VoL's greatest album, the more I listen to SDT the more I think this might be the best album to come from Bill and the Vigilantes of Love.

After the Welcome To Struggleville CD, the Vigilantes Of Love released the harder sounding Blister Soul, in 1995. Then in '96 they came out with their compilation (best of). After that, they continued the hard rocking guitar sound of Blister Soul with 1997's "Slow Dark Train." The Vigilantes have always been hard rockers (except for their debut, "Jugular"), but with the "Blster Soul," and "Slow Dark Train" cds, they have put an emphasis on a heavier and louder guitar sound.

But both discs also have their acoustic (but still electric) quieter moments. On Slow Dark Train, there is "Only A Scratch," a haunting tune with strumming acoustic guitar backed by various other instruments including background vocals that sound like they're emanating from a far away, big, empty hall. Its not a negative song, but it has a sad melody. "I know I'm reeling, life it goes so fast, and I know I'm bleeding, but its only a scratch."

The heavy guitar rockers would be "Locust Years" (available, once again, as a single), "Tokyo Rose," "Black Crow," and "All The Mercy We Have Found." They were made to be played LOUD. So crank up your stereo and break out your electric air guitar (unless you have a real one, then I envy you).

The rest of the songs have great guitar work, but nothing crunching. Its the usual VOL sound that can be found on previous cds like "Driving The Nails," "Killing Floor," or "Welcome To Struggleville." In fact, the last cut, "Judas Skin," is acoustic enough to fit well on "Jugular."

The jumpy pop tunes from Slow Dark Train would definitely be "Version Of The Truth," and "Love Cocoon." The former is probably the best song on the cd. The latter was originally released on Jugular and was pumped up a bit to be included on this album. If you're a hard core fan, you can even get it as a single, again.

I'll sum up by saying that Slow Dark Train is a good album. But if you're a Vigilantes fan, you already know that. What you might not know is that they have a CD out called "My Year In Review." It has at least four songs included on it that are not on any other disc. It's available at Pastemusic.com.

The Vigilantes Of Love are one of the most talented bands that ever existed. My advice to you is to buy every one of there CDs that Amazon offers. Then crank up your sound system and enjoy.

VIGILANTE FRONT MAN, BILL MALLONEE REMAINS R & R'S NUMBER ONE WRITER. WHY EVERYONE HASN'T HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR THIS BAND ON THE AIRWAVES SHOWS THE SORRY STATE OF THE INDUSTRY. TRY THEM & SEE. THIS IS R&R WITH A HEART, SOUL,SHOTGUN AND HANDSHAKE.