Bill Mallonee

Item: Fetal Position
Author: Brian A. Smith

Fetal Position

(2002)

Reviewed by Brian A. Smith

Discogs Bandcamp

Label Paste RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth2002

alternative country americana britpop folk rock

After more than ten years and several labels, Bill Mallonee has disbanded the ever-changing lineup that was the Vigilantes of Love, and has forged ahead with his first solo effort. Fetal Position is not a departure from the VOL sound, but it does have a uniqueness about it that separates it ever so slightly from the VOL catalog.

Mallonee's sense of romance is brought forth on this album. Songs like "She's So Liquid," "Crescent Moon," and "Life on Other Planets" focus on love, or falling in love, or the predicaments caused by love. These elements are sprinkled throughout the album, but are less obvious elsewhere.

Another theme is that of the ongoing commitment that Mallonee has made to his music, despite the (so far) apparent lack of success. "You Give It All Your Heart", long a concert favorite, finally makes it to a recording. With its theme of baseball as a metaphor for life and the music business, we are reminded that some things aren't done for money:

Sure, it is a long shot...but that sky seemed oh so clear
We may not make it out of the bush leagues, honey
But that's not why we're here...

Musically, Kevin Heuer's drums are becoming indispensable. Billy Holmes (VOL album Killing Floor) returns and acts as the jack of all trades, contributing backup vocals, keyboards, mellotron, synthesizer, Moog, mandolin, and electric guitar. The combination here produces a sound that is part Summershine ("She's So Liquid"), part Audible Sigh ("All or Nothing"), part acoustic folk-rock, part Brit-pop, and completely fantastic.

Songs like "Grave" and "Wintergreen" (an obvious nod to George Harrison) are instant classics, destined to become concert favorites. This album makes me ask the same question I've been asking for years: Why hasn't some talent scout from a major label made Mallonee an offer he can't refuse? Why do artists like John Mayer, Wilco, and the White Stripes come out of nowhere and end up as huge successes while bands like VOL toil in obscurity?

Hopefully, Mallonee will keep on doing what he's been doing for another twenty years or so. His mixture of honest emotion, spectacular songwriting, and the search for hope in a fallen world continue to inspire, amuse, and entertain. He ranks with the great singer-songwriters of our time -- if only more people were exposed to his music, he would be a national phenomenon.

4.5 tocks