Customer Reviews

Into the Woods

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Within 50 minutes The Call and its album "Into the Woods" both an unknown too me, has replaced in my mind U2 and the "Joshua Tree" as my favorite CD of all time. Micheal Been's heart pounding, emotional lyrical style captivated me from beginning to end. A musical journey that brought out every emotion within me. I cant believe it took me 11 years to discover this group. Im on the way to get "Red Moon."

Why The Call were not a more successful band has always confused and at the same time amused me. They had a big sound, put out 7 wonderful records and they are one of the best bands I've ever seen. Anyway, Into The Woods is a weird, yet very original record. It all hinges on Michael Been's intense emotion and introspective lyrics.This record is the type thing that grabs you by the soul and won't let you go. It's too bad these guys don't make music anymore. Really!!!!!!!!!!!

I saw the Call during their Red Moon Tour at the famous Toad's Place in New Haven, CT. I believe it was 1991, on a Sunday night and there were only about 100 people in the joint. But oh what a show, we were rewarded, it was truly one of the most inspiring performances I have ever seen, and I have seen a few:
U2 in Dublin, Springsteen at Fenway & Johnny Cash.........
The Call played their hearts out that night even though they must have known they were nearing the end. Michael Been was on the Bass, playing stage right and the entire place hung on his every note. I feel blessed to have seen them play Live.
"Into the Woods" is a GREAT Album, it's a real shame that it never got noticed by anyone except BONO!!!! MEMORY will leave you breathless, thinking of the one that got away. INTO THE WOODS will simply blow you away. Do yourself a favor and BUY this CD, I promise you it will make you smile.....Kell

I bought this CD years ago and it still remains a constant on my player. Michael Been's lyrics and voice are stirring. Every song on this disc evokes emotion and images that will haunt and inspire you. If you want to buy something that will touch you to the core then invest in this music. This is their strongest product, followed closely by Reconciled.

More than any other album that they have made, this is The Call's most emotionally charged album. You can almost feel the emotion coming out of your speakers. Is this their best work? I would say yes, but it is so different from their other work, that it is like comparing oranges and apples. All the same, I highly recommend Into The Woods.

I have been listening to this album since I was a child. This album ranks in the top 10 of all time favorites for me. The songs are written so passionately and intensly. Just give it a try, its cheap.

Here's how I rate:

5: Masterpiece.
4: Must have for a collection.
3: Worth the buy.
2: Its listenable.
1: Complete waste of time and money.

The above was my original posting. Since then, the price has skyrocketed because it is not being sold on cdnow anymore. Well, I give this disc 4 and a half stars. I can't quite push it into five because most of my liking of this is nostalgic. Every song on here is pretty much amazing. I love how dark and moody the album is. You can find this disc in some record shops, so do not waste your money on the $40 stuff they are selling here.

Don't let the three-star review by the Aussie fool you. This LP is magnificent and chalk full of Call classics. Easily one of their truly classic albums. Michael Been has never been more hauntingly evocative. Great lyrics, powerful vocals and a deep mysticism througout. Maybe the album is so thematically mature that some of the younger Call fans can't relate, but believe me when I say that this is an unequivocal masterpiece. Worth the price of admission for the song MEMORY alone. Any discriminating Call fan will cherish this release.

Their fifth album and the third with new keyboardist Jim Goodwin, "Into the Woods" has a sound similar to the Call's previous release, "Reconciled". There are lots of powerful rock songs, highlighted by the impassioned singing and throbbing bass of group leader Michael Been. But there's a change. This time around, the lyrics seem more personal, introverted -- the relationship protest of the most popular song, "I Don't Wanna"; the trepidation of "The Woods"; the angst of "Too Many Tears" and "It Could Have Been Me". This may all song kind of heavy, but Been's vocals and the equally compelling playing of the band draw the listener in.
Unlike "Reconciled", though, there's a bit more breadth to the album's sounds. "Memory" is a touching ballad backed by a soft keyboard, but still fits in well with the tone of the album. The album's last tune, "Walk, Walk" is a major departure, an upbeat, sort of bluesy tune which sounds like the band is actually having some FUN for the first time! A bit of a preview of what was coming on the next album. However, the stadnout here is in "In The River", co-written and co-sung by drummer Scott Musick. Trading off voices singing a lyric using quasi-Biblical flood imagery, the tune starts slow and then climaxes with Goodwin's squealing synthesizer providing the perfect counterpoint. A stunner, and an overlooked classic track.

The small commercial momentum the band had built with "Reconciled" faltered a bit here, simply because the themes explored by Been are so much darker. For that reason, it might not be the best choice for a Call neophyte. But it is a powerful, challenging work, worth exploring

In 1987, The Call's "Into the Woods" was named on several music critics(Time Magazine for example) top ten of the year. In retrospect, I have personally chosen this as the album of the 1980s. Enough said.

The Call are a great 1980s rock band. Led by their singer Michael Been and his amazing songwriting ability, their music never got the attention it deserved, which is very disappointing to me.

Their record, 'Into The Woods,' released on Elektra in 1987, is easily one of the most underrated masterpieces of all-time. Sure, if you're an '80s purist, chances are you already know 'I Don't Wanna,' but there are many other ones well worth listening to.

Among them are 'Too Many Tears,' 'Expecting,' and 'Walk Walk.' The whole record is golden, so it's hard to pick out highlights, but those are four good ones.

Overall, this is highly recommended for any 1980s rock fan or any Call fan, for that matter.

Highly recommended. ENJOY!!!