Vigilantes of Love - Cross the Big Pond

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Free Music Notes for Cross the Big Pond

Free Music Review: The Sound Of Talent
Hit: 5 Stars

The inside flap lists seven songs, but when you pop the disc in your player it will register nine tracks. However, track eight is 29 seconds of silence, and track nine is "On To Bethlehem," a song that was also released on a various artists cd called "The Gift - A WeatherVane Christmas Collection."

On the WeatherVane cd, the full title of the song is "On To Bethlehem (My Heart's Electric)". We're very fortunate that this song is included on Cross The Big Pond. This is a perfect song and will make your heart feel electric. Don't be fooled by the title, it's not Christmas music. It is one of the best acoustic songs that the Vigilantes have ever done. It has such a sweet melody that carries Mallonee's burden and hope lyrics along in a fashion that allows him to use his voice in a way that emphasizes just how good of a singer he is.

It is surprising that, by now (Cross The Big Pond is their tenth album), the Vigilantes Of Love have not broke through to the big time. Bill Mallonee is an expert song writer. Perhaps he could concentrate on writing songs for bigger acts. There's always more than one way to skin a cat and get rich.

Also on the WeatherVane cd is "Sing Angel Choirs," a song not available on any VOL cd.

Cross The Big Pond starts off with "Cloth Of Life." This is an acoustic song that the band later electrified, changed the lyrics (except for the chorus), re-titled "Goes Without Saying," and included on their next album (called "Audible Sigh," released in 2000).

Cloth Of Life is followed by "In The Box," the best song on the cd. It includes some handclaps and something rare on VOL songs - a back-up singer (in the chorus). And there's a mandolin. Yes, lets not forget the mandolin, an instrument that this band handles better that any other group I've heard.

"When You're Blinded By The Light" is another one of the great songs that make this such a good cd. If you're already a VOL fan, this tune makes you realize how much you like the sound of Bill Mallonee's singing voice.

"Go And Ask Her" has an up-tempo beat, unlike "Where My Seed Might Find Purchase," the song that follows it. The Seed song has a heavy, depressed feel to it and is probably the slowest cut on the cd. It was originally written for their "Slow Dark Train" album but never made it onto that disc.

"She Walks On Roses" is another song they later included on Audible Sigh. This version, on Cross The Big Pond, doesn't quite have that manic, killing floor speed to it, like the one on Audible Sigh. Nor does it have Julie Miller singing background vocals. But it's just as good, if not better.

"Back To Its Source" is also good. In fact, the only throw-away cut on this record is track eight. Unless, of course, you're one of those ultimate true blue VOL fans who think the band sounds good even when they're not playing. Vigilante silence is golden. Crazy man, crazy.

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