My homage to Michael Been and The Call...

My most impassioned ramblings deal with underrated bands and artists. This post is dedicated to The Call, an 80's rock/new wave group out of Santa Cruz, California. The Call's frontman, Michael Been, and drummer/percussionist, Scott Musick, are originally from Oklahoma. The other band members were, bassist, Greg Freeman, and guitarist, Tom Ferrier. Been was previously a member of Chicago band Aorta, and then, between 1969 and 1971, of Lovecraft, the successor band to the psychedelic rock group H.P. Lovecraft. Beginning with their self-titled debut in 1982, The Call went on to produce 8 albums by 2000.

The Call's 8 studio albums in chronological order:

The Call (1982)-- On this album, the band embraces their inner social justice warrior, and examines man’s inhumanity to man and his mistreatment of himself. This release may be devoid of love songs, but there is much of feeling on this album. It speaks to the human condition so well; and with it's quick, propulsive rhythms and introspective lyrics, this is a great introduction to what The Call is all about.

My favorite tracks: "War Weary World," "There's a Heart Here," "Doubt," "This Is Life," "Fulham Blues," "Upperbirth," "Flesh and Steel," "Unbearable," "Waiting for the End."

Modern Romans (1983)-- A political, war-themed album detailing the decadence of western society. Like its predecessor, this album has impetuous melodies and riffs with vocals that spew a fire of emotion. The Call's first music video, "The Walls Came Down," aired on MTV in 1983 and got considerable radio airplay. Modern Romans put the band on the map. They toured for a year as a headliner, and supported Peter Gabriel’s “Shock The Monkey” tour. Peter Gabriel once called the band the "future of American music."

My favorite tracks: "The Walls Came Down," "Turn a Blind Eye," "Modern Romans," "Back from the Front," "Destination," "Violent Times," "Face to Face," "All About You."

Scene Beyond Dreams (1984)-- What separates this album from the first two is the change in vocals and sound. Michael Been stretches out his voice and sings the lyrics, whereas he "talked" through them on the first two albums. The strength and excellence of Been's voice can be heard on Scene Beyond Dreams. As for sound, there are still short and repetitive melodies, but the music is becoming more varied on keyboards and synthesizer.

My favorite tracks: "Scene Beyond Dreams," "The Burden," "Tremble," "Delivered," "Heavy Hand," "Promise and Threat," "Apocalypse," "Notified."

Reconciled (1986)-- Perhaps their most commercially successful album, Reconciled boasted two huge radio hits, "I Still Believe" and "Everywhere I Go." Guest appearances were made by Peter Gabriel, Simple Minds' Jim Kerr, and the legendary Robbie Robertson. This album's anthemic essence is what The Call would be known for.

My favorite tracks: "Everywhere I Go," "I Still Believe (Great Design)," "Blood Red (America)," "The Morning," "Oklahoma," "Tore the Old Place Down."

Into the Woods (1987)-- While not up to the standard that its predecessor set, Into the Woods maintains the level of quality The Call had been setting for themselves, and holds its own against contemporaries of the time like U2, Simple Minds or Peter Gabriel, all of whom where Call Fans. This album has great lyrics, powerful vocals and a deep mysticism throughout.

My favorite tracks: "I Don't Wanna," "In the River," "It Could Have Been Me," "The Woods," "Day or Night," "Memory," "Too Many Tears," "Expecting," "Walk Walk."

Let the Day Begin (1989)-- The following year, The Call achieved their highest chart placings with the big-sounding Let The Day Begin album, which featured the actor Harry Dean Stanton on harmonica. Michael Been had met Harry Dean Stantion while making The Last Temptation of Christ. The album's title-track, ""Let the Day Begin," nearly cracked the top 40. Only "The Walls Came Down" ever charted the top 100, giving The Call exactly two charted singles. It became the theme song for Al Gore during his bid for the presidency.

My favorite tracks: "Let the Day Begin​," "You Run," "Surrender," "When," "Jealousy," "Same Ol' Story," "Closer," "Communication," "Watch."

Red Moon (1990)-- Red Moon has much more of an organic feel compared to The Call's previous anthemic albums. While the songs are still big in sound, the production tore down the walls, hid the synths, and went for something more intimate. It sounds as if it may be an unplugged album if you will. "Floating Back" and "This is Your Life" are the most energetic songs. The other songs have slower tempos. I wouldn't recommend this album for a first-time Call listener. It's more of an album for Call fans to appreciate. U2's Bono provided guest vocals on the track "What's Happened to You?"

My favorite tracks (the whole album!): "What's Happened to You?" "Red Moon," "You Were There," "Floating Back," "A Swim in the Ocean," "Like You've Never Been Loved," "Family," "This Is Your Life," "The Hand That Feeds You," "What a Day."

To Heaven and Back (1997)-- To Heaven and Back is no Reconciled, Into the Woods, or Let The Day Begin, but the energy and emotion of The Call was still alive when they made this album. A great comeback album after their seven year hiatus. It may just rank above Red Moon. In-between the album's rock-driven tunes there is a beautiful ballad, "Think It Over" and the 50's style song, "Musta Been Outta My Mind." You get a good mix of sound and emotion on To Heaven and Back.

My favorite tracks: "Soaring Bird" "Criminal," "Love is Everywhere," "World On Fire," "Think It Over," "Musta Been Outta," "Compromise," "What Are You Made Of."

Link to the complete discography by The Call: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL20vXO88m-EzILBmAY6ZqnlVxXTHtbhiY <-- Please check out this band

Here are two more albums.

Light Sleeper soundtrack (1992)-- Light Sleeper is a film from 1992. Michael Been's "World On Fire" made the soundtrack. "World On Fire" was obviously recorded before year 1997, but made it's way on to The Call's 1997 release To Heaven and Back. Michael Been performed all of the songs on Light Sleeper.

My favorite tracks: "World On Fire."

On the Verge of a Nervous Breakthrough (1994)-- Michael Been's first solo album and final recording. There are some very good tracks on this album. It's pretty solid. The opening track, "Us," comes in like a hurricane with all its strength and torrential downpour of heavy, distorted guitar work. As with every Michael Been album, the lyrics are honest and thought-provoking. What a great way to close out one's music career!

My favorite tracks: "Us," "This World," "She," "For Your Love," "Invitation."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=af3KAUGXtps&list=PLRkXvo-wmdAf-tJLqz2OiQVXy2oFUut1P <-- Please check out the movie soundtrack for Light Sleeper.

Link to Michael Been's album On the Verge of a Nervous Breakthrough: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPkoZ6-D5zf8aODBq8PNlWrHnnN1s5hRj <-- Please check out Michael Been's solo album

I posted links to the complete discography by The Call as well as the movie soundtrack for Light Sleeper, and Michael Been's solo album On the Verge of a Nervous Breakthrough. Please check them out and if you like what you hear, please buy Michael Been's music! He was extraordinarily talented and dedicated to his music. He knew his craft. Its nice to see his son, Robert Been, still honoring his father by performing his songs live. I may have mentioned this before that his son was the lead singer of Black Rebel Motercycle Club. I had always known about BRMC but I never knew he was Michael Been's son until about 10 years ago; imagine my surprise!