antiMusic.com: The Vigilance Committee

The Vigilance Committee - Exit A Hero

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You really don't hear many concept albums these days. However The Vigilance Committee's Exit A Hero is just such an animal. It's described as the story of the first vigilance committees of San Francisco in the mid-1800s. In fact, it traces the story of James King of William, a man that became one of the more important figures in citizen justice of that era, as well as the tale of James P. Casey, a figure that murdered King after a story King wrote appeared in the press laying out Casey's many wrongdoings.

This album is all over the place musically. There are straight ahead rock moments, as well as much more progressive elements. The band plays together especially tightly, and they sing together particularly well, exemplified by the vocal harmonies filling out "Montgomery," which also includes a few intentionally rough vocal parts as well.

Who knew rock music could teach history? Of course, that's an understatement. What? We've all heard Neil Young songs that do just that, right? This is a fine, detailed album that's well worth your time.