Search - Call :: The Best of the Call - The Millennium Collection

The Greatest Band You've Never Heard Of

Alan Caylow | USA | 03/06/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Call are quite possibly THE most underrated band in all of rock. Led by phenomenal singer/songwriter/bassist Michael Been, The Call have created some of the most intelligent, passionate rock music ever recorded. The music critics have always loved them, and Peter Gabriel and Bono of U2 count themselves as huge fans. But despite all of their acclaim (and one lone early-80's radio hit, "The Walls Came Down"), The Call have never gotten the mainstream success that they so rightfully deserve. Not being pin-up boys, and crafting music that may have been considered TOO sophisticated for Top 40 radio, their various record labels never quite knew how to market them, and their albums, however brilliant, never racked up the big sales that they should have. Sadly, five of The Call's eight studio albums are currently out-of-print, leaving just "Reconciled," "Into The Woods," and "To Heaven And Back," plus some Best Of compilations like this one, "The Millennium Collection." But this new Call compilation CD will definitely give you a clear picture of what this wonderful band are all about. Many Call classics are found here---the aforementioned hit "The Walls Came Down," "Modern Romans," "Scene Beyond Dreams," "Everywhere I Go" (featuring Peter Gabriel on backing vocals), "I Don't Wanna," "Let The Day Begin" (which Al Gore rightfully used as his presidential campaign song), "What's Happened To You" (featuring Bono on backing vocals), plus a great live version of one of The Call's great signature tunes, "I Still Believe." The band's musicianship is tremendous, and Michael Been's emotionally-charged voice & lyrics will go straight to your heart.I sincerely hope that SOME smart record label out there will pick up The Call's outstanding catalog of albums, and re-release them to the world. The Call are a great band, a significant band. With so much commercial success these days being bestowed upon acclaimed groups like Coldplay, Radiohead, and veteran acts like U2, it is a terrible shame that The Call have been unfairly overlooked. "The Best Of The Call: The Millennium Collection" is proof positive that this is a band that can easily give Bono, Chris Martin, Thom Yorke & company a run for their money. You want to hear *important* rock music? Listen to The Call."

Al Gore, Bono, & Peter Gabriel can't all be wrong!

Alan Caylow | 11/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There's a reason Al Gore chose Let the Day Begin as his campaign theme song; it's because LTDB by The Call is a blistering, foot-stomping, guitar-crunching, all-out full throttle attack rock anthem. This song features the signature literate lyrics and vocals of Michael Been and the uplifting keyboards of Jim Goodwin that were The Call's trademark in the mid to late 80s. This compilation, the 2nd Call best of in the last 3 years, is a welcome retrospective of the most underrated American alternative rock band of the 80s.The Millennium Collection includes the band's first hit, The Walls Came Down, as well as "War Weary World", the quirky lead track off of the band's eponymously-titled debut album. This is followed by the scathing "Turn a Blind Eye", also from the first disc, and Modern Roman, the surf-punk guitar title track from the group's second album. Next up is the dreamy "Scene Beyond Dreams" from the album of the same name. Also included are the obligatory, mesmerizing "Everywhere I Go", featuring Peter Gabriel on backing vocals, and "I Don't Wanna." "You Run" and "Surrender" were overshadowed on the LTDB album due to the strength of the title track but are truly great songs in their own right. "What's Happened to You" features U2's Bono singing backup. The compilation is rounded out by a live version of one of The Call's biggest hits, I Still Believe.NB: The Amazon track listing is wrong. "I Don't Wanna" appears instead of "Soaring Bird." (unfortunately!) All in all, this is a very solid compilation of The Call from 1982-1990, featuring a generous helping of early work and underappreciated gems in addition to the obvious choices."

"simple & straighforward a style that still works"

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 11/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The music in the early '80s, attempted to fuse the new post-punk political awareness and social idealism in music with the crackling guitars and minimalist song structure of New Wave...and "The Call" was in the lead, and right on! Right from the opening track - "LET THE DAY BEGIN", brilliant singer/songwriter Michael Been, recorded in 1989, is still as fresh today as then. Looks like Al Gore thought so, used it as reveille for his presidential campaign - no matter what your political choices are, you have to admit...Al can pick a winner of a song.So music fans of the '80s, go back as you listen to the lyrics of "The Call", find out what all the hulla-baloo was about...clearly it's all here...as this was the time to get involved! Total Time: 52:11 on 12 Tracks... ... ...(2000)"