Driving the Nails

Description

Driving the Nails is the sophomore album by the American folk-rock/alt-country combo Vigilantes of Love fronted by singer-songwriter Bill Mallonee, release on Core in 1991, manufactured and distributed by Oxymoron. The album was produced by Bill Mallonee, Keith Dressel, and Preston Samford. All songs written by Bill Mallonee.

These days there are a lot of bands that fall into the same roots-rock/folksinger-with-band niche as Vigilantes of Love, but few are covering the territory with as much passion and conviction. Led by songwriter/guitarist/singer Bill Mallonee, who vocally recalls a young Bruce Cockburn, this Athens, GA, quintet is an agile bunch, capable of rockin’ out with a vengeance or blowing soft and sweetly while still hammering their message into your head. Mallonee’s songwriting is top notch, if at times a bit wordy. He’s generally got a cynical view of these dark and desperate times and presents it with striking and spiritual melodies accented by a mostly acoustic setting of guitar, harmonica, accordion and more guitar. Check out the anthemic «Shadowlands», the dark and jangly «Running Scared» and the epic title track that’s reminiscent of the folky side of Neil Young. [CMJ New Music Report, Vol. 25, No. 8, 15 February 1991]

CD tracklist:

01. Odious – 2:32
02. Driving the Nails – 4:57
03. Casualty – 4:23
04. Just Going Blind – 3:12
05. Lady Luck – 4:57
06. Sanctuary – 3:32
07. Running Scared – 3:34
08. Brenda – 4:24
09. Pleasure – 3:23
10. Shadowlands – 4:36
11. Don’t Lose Your Guns – 2:54
12. Already Gone – 2:04
13. One Foot in the Grave – 4:41
14. It’s Alright Doctor – 4:23

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Core. Available at Bill Mallonee’s Bandcamp site: https://billmalloneemusic.bandcamp.com/album/driving-the-nails-1991

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An advertisement for Vigilantes of Love’s Driving the Nails was featured in the February 15, 1991 issue of CMJ New Music Report.

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CREDITS. Produced by Bill Mallonee, Keith Dressel, and Preston Samford. All songs written by Bill Mallonee.

Musicians: Bill Mallonee (acoustic guitars, lead vocals, songs), Billy Holmes (electric guitars, mandolin, Keyboards), Ian Evans (bass, background vocals), B.B. Queen (drums). With: Mark Hall (accordion), “Dog-Mess Johnny” (harmonica), Alice Berry (background vocals on “Casualty” and “Guns”).