AMG Review of Live at the 40 Watt

David Dwyer
All Music Guide

Vigilantes of Love's first live album is docked half a star for its sound quality, which is pretty good considering it was recorded straight off the board at the Athens, GA club. The set leans toward fiery material well-suited for a rock crowd, and culls a good deal from To the Roof of the Sky and Audible Sigh, which, back to back, are arguably the band's best albums. Bill Mallonee's faith comes to the fore during this show, which seems an unlikely context for evangelism; the concert ends with him unassumingly offering to stick around if anyone wants to talk. Those who know the Vigilantes' work will need no introduction and are encouraged to snap this one up. Others may want to grab this as an alternative to the V.O.L. compilation, which does not include any of the material from the splendid Roof or Sigh.