Search - Call :: Reconciled

Underrated Optimism

Brian W. Fullford | Jacksonville, FL United States | 12/28/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had the honour of meeting Been after a free show at Jacksonville Beach. What a pleasant man. The concert, must have been maybe 200 at this outdoor show, was an event I will not soon forget. The power of the positive words that resonate from the band are hard to turn from. Been sings with such passion that you almost feel as if your soul would leave your body to follow him in the hope that it would be able to bask in the power of his voice.I bought this cassette when it first came out and much like early REM was a constant in my car and home stereo system. As many have stated, this band is very underrated and underappreciated. Much like the Connells, they never received what they should have. This CD contains 2 of their best songs: I Still Believe (Grand Design) and Everywhere I Go. I Still Believe is one of, if not the, most fuel injected creations your ears may ever participate in. The bass plays like footsteps on a wooden staircase from an empty basement as the song rises reach the light that shines underneath the basement door. Other songs that standup and demand your attention are Even Now (a great closing piece), With or Without Reason (whose guitar work seems to hide in the back until just the right moment) and The Morning. Even Now plays like a calm Autumn lake, and to a degree closes out the up tempo opening track as if they were two friends separated for years yet still close.The telling component of this CD, apart from Been's voice and lyrics, is the way the bass seems to carry the songs, much like Mills does with early REM. One might argue that this is what alternative 80's bands used to stand out from the lead guitar based pop rock of the time. Not all bands were able to pull this sound off and still stand apart. The Call were one of the few. Own this disc."

Magnificent Album From A Magnificent Band

Alan Caylow | USA | 02/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Led by singer/bassist Michael Been, the Call were always a very critically acclaimed group, but sadly, for all of their musical firepower, they never acheived the commercial success that they so rightfully deserved. Though most of their albums are currently out-of-print, and they apparently disbanded for good after their 1997 release, "To Heaven And Back," the Call were--and are--rock music titans, and their phenomenal eight studio albums recorded between 1982 and 1997 are all worth seeking out.In 1986, the Call released what is without a doubt their masterpiece, "Reconciled." It is one of the greatest, most passionate rock albums ever made. The Call deliver one emotional, powerhouse rocker after another, such as the dramatic "Everywhere I Go," the triumphant "I Still Believe," "Blood Red," "Oklahoma," "Sanctuary," and the closing "Even Now." The band's musical interplay is tight, and Michael Been's lyrics & transcendent lead vocals are passionate with a capital P. And, for the coup de grace, "Reconciled" features guest performances by such Call fans as Peter Gabriel and Simple Minds' Jim Kerr on backing vocals, and Robbie Robertson on guitar. Outstanding music from start to finish, the Call's "Reconciled" is a magnificent album from a magnificent band."

A new beginning for the Call

R. Josef | New Haven, CT United States | 10/02/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This album emerged in 1986 after a period of upheaval for the Call. They had had legal troubles with their first record label and management, and lost their original bassist and keyboardist. However, they survived to produce what is probably their first consistent album.The group's sound significantly changed. Jim Goodwin's synthesizer arrangements are lighter than his predecessor's, maybe sounding a bit dated now. Singer/songwriter Michael Been moved from guitar to fretless bass. Tom Ferrier does provide solid lead guitar, but of course, the guitar presence is less dense with only one player. However, this is compensated by Been's superb bass playing, pulsing at the heart of each song. The band does provide excellent support for him, though, with musicianship superior to most 80's bands. No drum machines here!Been's songwriting is as passionate as ever, dealimg with turmoil both personal (the frightening "Oklahoma", "Even Now", "Tore the Old Place Down") and political (the somewhat heavy-handed stomper "Blood Red"). However, Been never gives up hope, which is perhaps why the first two songs were the most popular - the energetic "Everywhere I Go"; and my favorite "I Still Believe", a classic statement of faith and committment.The only problem some people might have with this is that there isn't a whole lot of variety on the album. One anthemic rocker after another might be hard for some people to take, with only the slower, more subtle "Sanctuary" offering a change of pace. Still, at 39 minutes or so, all the energy doesn't wear me down, anyway. And any album with "I Still Believe" is worth the price of purchase. So, this CD is a great introduction to one of the great bands of the 80's."