Sooner or later, we all do what we must,
Sooner or later, it comes down to trust. . .
Sooner or later, we all become what we chose,
Sooner or later, truth be told.
(From "Paralyzed")
Life is difficult, but as the Vigilantes of Love conclude repeatedly on one of their most balanced, best produced projects to date, survivable. To the Roof of the Sky was written by a mature, balanced grownup wise in life struggles, but ready to appreciate even the smallest blessings, and ready to accept whatever comes his way with good humor and grace. A career of truth telling propelled by some force he can only partially explain has created a Bill Mallonee no record company will touch, and no listener ever touched by VoL's art can ever forget. As a late-comer to VoL fandom, I find this his most listenable project yet. The addition of Kenny Hutson's versatile talents has transformed a raw, awkward trio into a much pleasanter listening experience.
4.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Steven S. BaldwinTo the Roof of the Sky is Bill Mallonee and company's middle of the road musical memoirs and features a more acquired alt-country taste with less feisty fare than their previous three albums. If you're looking for loads of rowdy songs like "Undertow," "Resume," "Five Miles South of Monroe," or "Locust Years" you won't find as many of 'em. Instead, what you'll get is a panoply of accessible,…The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by James StewartWithin two minutes of my first Vigilantes of Love live show ending, I had run across the field and bought an album. Bill Mallonee's passionate music and incisive lyrics won me over instantly, and I wanted to hold something of this with me when the festival was over. It's a couple of albums later, and my enthusiasm hasn't waned. The band has now gone indie, cutting all ties with old record labels…Similar sounding releases
2003Bill MalloneeLocket Full of Moonlight
1997Tonio K.Ole
2004Peter HimmelmanUnstoppable Forces
1999Lost DogsThe Best of the Lost Dogs
1999A Ragamuffin BandPrayers of a Ragamuffin
2004Trevor MorganWonderlight
