The Call - what a mighty group. Defining passion and a big influence on indie rock, this band takes a few unexpected turns on an otherwise typically great Call album. Instead of the pulsating dirty Midwest meets depression rock sound of the band's past, there's actually some pop-influenced on the opening cut, "Soaring Bird." The ballad "Think It Over" takes a melancholy approach that contrasts wildly with the almost new wave-ish "Musta Been Outta My Mind." The ship steers back on course quickly, as songs like "Criminal" and "Love Is Everywhere" will attest. The standout cut is easily the slow but passionate "Become America," which has been played out for awhile by the band and also appeared on the Best Of album that came out last year. Often thought of as a sort of "sister band" to U2 and The Alarm, "All You Hold On To" almost sounds like an Achtung Baby era song. It's strange to see The Call on a Christian market label, especially with a solid performance like this. You'd think the band could've gotten a much sweeter deal with material this good.
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Steven S. BaldwinPeter Gabriel once referred to The Call as "the future of American music." An empty prophecy because of the band's imminent break-up, but at the very least, a claim that advocated the high artistic quality, skillful musical strength, and genuine uniqueness of this beloved band. By those that knew and appreciated them, they have been greatly missed. To Heaven and Back finds them doing again what…The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Chris ParksBTW The Call's last studio album was 1990's Red Moon but Michael Been's 1994 solo album is definitely worthy of your attention. They're back. If you were someone who lamented the breakup of The Call, rejoice. The group has reformed, released a compilation of previous work, and more importantly recorded a new album, called To Heaven and Back. The sound has been updated a bit (one example: the…Similar sounding releases
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