Customer Reviews

Summershine

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I became reacquainted with VOL in 1998 when they released "To the Roof of the Sky." That album changed the way I viewed music. After that, I was a hardcore country-rock fan. If an album didn't have a mandolin or pedal steel player on it, then it wasn't a good album! So I was delighted with "Audible Sigh," which had excellent country-rock credibility (Emmylou Harris, Buddy and Julie Miller). Also, VOL had acquired Kenny Hutson, a multiple instrumentalist who played Mandolin, pedal steel, and dobro on 2 VOL albums.

But Kenny is not on this new album, and Bill and his band are belting out music reminiscent of the pop they grew up on. Frankly I love it. I must say musically I still love the country-rock style of VOL's older material. But this new CD is upbeat, encouraging, and has a "summer" feel to it. When I saw VOL in concert at Eddie's Attic in Atlanta, Bill revealed 2 important insights about "Summershine:" It would not be theological, and it would display the pop influence they picked up in the UK. Many of us were a bit worried, but now we worry no more. My only issue with "Summershine" is that Bill's voice and the vocal harmonies of the band come across stronger in a country-rock setting rather than a pop setting.

My favorites are, "Along For the Ride," "Happy Being Lonely, Lonely Being Happy," and "Green Summer Lawn." The last song, "Sailors" is hauntingly beautiful and reminds me of the mood of "To the Roof of the Sky." While there are no mandolins on this record, Bill has incorporated mellotron, piano, and beautifully played strings. This album will truly make your summer shine! However, during the cold, long fall and winter, I might still have to put in "To the Roof of the Sky," but rest assured, I will take "Summershine" out once spring hits.

Bill Mallonee once again shows why he's one of America's great songwriters - but this time with a Brit-pop flair that had long lain dormant. Songs like You Know That are what pop music is all about. This album definitely goes some new directions for the band but is still very much VOL. Fans of The Byrds will like the sound of a Rickenbacker used through much of the record - and fans of Blister Soul's Tempest will likely find some familiar vibes. This one's not to be missed.

It's Bill Mallonee meets mid-1960s American pop and the British Invasion! Bill's lyrics are at their best and the band is musically tight. After a half-dozen times in the CD player, S.O.S., You Know That, and She is Fading have fallen out as being among my favorites. If you are expecting Audible Sigh Number 2, or a return to the Blister Soul and Double Cure days, or the alt country rockin' sound a la Kenny Hutson ... you may be let down. Why only 4 stars? Well ... quite honestly, I still miss Kenny Hutson's presence in the band. But, give Summershine a listen anyway. I promise that it won't disappoint!

When you spin Summershine for the first time make sure you keep the CD booklet handy - you'll need it to reassure yourself that you really are listening to Vigilantes of Love. You will also want it to make sure you get the impact of the lyrics. All that time VOL spent Across the Big Pond, which resulted in numerous tours and an EP of the same name, shaped this record. For longtime VOL fans it may be an adjustment to hear Bill Mallonee being so poppy, it was for me, but once you listen and read the lyrics you'll see familiar landmarks. "SOS", "Puttin out Fires", "Happy Being lonely . . ." and "Sailors" are just a few songs that call to mind themes that run throughout VOL's music. Always one to shine a light on the human experience with songs like "Blister Soul" and "Welcome to Struggleville", Mallonee continues to do so even on the Beatle-esque pop tune "Stand Beside Me". The pop nature of the songs on this album actually make it more important to pay attention to the lyrics, lest they be forgotten. It's interesting that for a poppy album such as Summerhsine, it ends with the somber tune "Sailors," which is similar in tone to "Judas Skin" from the 1997 release "Slow Dark train." But unlike "Slow Dark Train," the images on this album are flowers, sunshine and a "Green Summer Lawn" - a strong tune in its own right. What Summershine shows is that Mallonee is truly a gifted songwriter because he crafts 13 tunes in a style not normally his own that are genuinely top quality. You'll find these songs stuck in your head for days and that's the test of a good pop tune. Fans of the EP "Room Despair" which was sold with a limited number of "Audible Sigh" discs will remember "It's Not Bothering Me," which features a great "trippy" drum loop - letting you know right there htat you won't be hearing any songs like "Resplendent" from "Audible Sigh". For the record, "Resplendent" is a fabulous tune. On the "Summershine" version of "It's Not Bothering Me" Mallonee makes two lyrical changes from the original. Instead of singing " I thought the GRASS was greener" he sings "I thought the CASH was greener" - and - instead of singing "I'm so confused by CALVINISM" he sings "I'm so confused by TELEVISION." Mallonee is known for playing with lyrics in his live shows as well, and if you like any of his recorded music, you really need to see Mallonee and VOL live.

This Athens, GA band was considered by many to be the next REM and while the critics love 'em, commercial success has eluded the group for some incredulous reason. Summershine is VOL's power pop offering and what an incredible release it is. Three words: BUY IT NOW! This is quite possibly the best band you've probably never heard before so drop the dough and put a big dumb smile on your face. --Roy (Atl., GA)

This VOL release finds Bill, Jake, and Kevin continuing with their blend of rock and roots music with a more pop sound than I have grown used to with this band. This jangly guitar pop album also contains some of the best lyrics Bill Mallonne has ever composed. The melodies and the harmonies are also very abundant on this release. I could sing the praises for a long time but what you need to do is buy it, heck buy two copies and give one away to someone who enjoys wonderful music and insightful lyrics. Some of the standout tracks (at least I think they are) are "She Is Fading", "Puttin Out Fires", and "S.O.S.".

It might as well be. This album is VOL at their absolute poppiest! Longtime fans expecting (or hoping for) "Audible Sigh Revisited" will be somewhat disappointed as much of the Americana, moody, acoustic sounds from the brilliant "Audible Sigh" and "To the Roof of the Sky" (two of my favorite albums of all time--by any band) are largely absent from this new release. Nevertheless, this album holds some of charms of its own--including the standard, terrific songwriting of Bill Mallonee (whose lyrics rate with Dylan, Cockburn, Michael Timmins (Cowboy Junkies), and Justin Currie of del Amitri as the most poetic I've heard). The aptly named, "Summershine" begins with a bang--the Bob Mould-sounding 'You Know That' is a powerful, driving pop song that immediately lets you know what's in store for the next 45 minutes. And what is that? Pop overload! 'She is Fading' has somewhat of a retro feel and brings to mind the best work of another Athens' band. The third track, 'Galaxy' is of the 60's pop sound that is so pervasive on this album and is shortly followed by the Beatlesque, harmonic 'Stand Beside Me'. 'SOS', perhaps my favorite new song on this album, is classic VOL all the way and leads to a strong second-half which includes the previously released (demo version on the "Room Despair" ep) 'It's Not Bothering Me' and the terrific (and most acoustic song on the entire cd) 'Green Summer Lawn'. It's always difficult to follow a seminal album, particularly with a change in sound (and make no mistake, this album is a change in sound--from alt-country/Americana to 60's pop) so long-time listeners may require some patience. And that patience will be rewarded with the typical, soul-inspired lyrics of Mallonee set to a poppier, full-band sound of VOL at their prime. Recommended to all fans of literate pop and all VOL faithful.

The latest release from Bill Mallonee and his Vigilantes of Love (VOL) is nothing short of great. You might think it is a fairly dramatic shift in musical styles for the group but the thought provoking lyrics are still there. This album has a bit of the British Pop sound to it that strongly influenced Bill and Kevin Heuer (percussion) while growing up. Jangly is good descriptor I've heard applied to it. Thirteen strong tracks ranging from the blistering "Puttin' Out Fires" to the mellow "Galaxy" and bouncy "It's Not Bothering Me."

Somehow Bill Mallonee keeps writing amazing songs at a pace that he cannot possibly get them all recorded and released. Unfortunate for the world and for those that have seen the band live, frustrating. With 10 full length albums and several EPs put out over the past 10 years, VOL keeps churning out great tunes to the delight of their loyal fan base. Pick up this CD, you won't be disappointed.

You gotta catch these guys live and feel and see their energy.

I have written quite a few reviews and this review will probably get shuffled to the back of the other 18 reviews listed here but this cd is my Top Pick for cd of the year for 2001. I have not heard a better more consistent cd in years. The seventh song on the cd SOS is also my pick as 'song of the year". I'm literally addicted to this cd. One reviewer has said this is VOL's last cd. I pray he is wrong. If Bill keeps making music like this I will be eternally grateful. Just a little teaser, how many of you out there catch the ghost of Pure Prarie League in cut #2?

With "Summershine," Bill Mallonee and Co. take on a little more of a pop sound for their most accessible release yet. After the heavy Americana/folk direction of "Audible Sigh," the Athens boys throw in a generous amount of Brit-pop infulence, and sprinkle some classic Southern rock and early REM styles in for good measure. Some of the best songs include "SOS," "I Could Be Wrong," the tender ballad "Green Summer Lawn," and my personal favorite "It's Not Bothering Me." VoL purists may be in for a little culture shock, but a few spins of "Summershine" will cure that problem. Vigilantes of Love will no doubt win over some new fans with this record.