To the Roof of the Sky
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 Skyreveals 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