Wild Gift [Extra tracks, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

X | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 18, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 1981
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Rhino
• ASIN: B00005NTQ6
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,646 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #56 in Music > Alternative Rock > Hardcore & Punk > American Punk
  • #57 in Music > Alternative Rock > American Alternative > General
  • #69 in Music > Music Deals > $7.99 and Under

Track Listings

1. Once Over Twice

2. We're Desperate

3. Adult Books

4. Universal Corner

5. I'm Coming Over

6. It's Who You Know

7. In This House That I Call Home

8. Some Other Time

9. White Girl

10. Beyond and Back

11. Back 2 the Base

12. When Our Love Passed Out on the Couch

13. Year 1

14. Beyond and Back [Live][*]

15. Blue Spark [#][*][Demo Version]

16. We're Desperate [Single Version][*]

17. Back 2 the Base [Live][#][*]

18. Heater [Rehearsal][*]

19. White Girl [Single Mix][*]

20. The Once Over Twice [Single Mix][#][*]

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Though a small handful of its 13 songs predate Los Angeles, X's second album represents a giant leap forward for the band. Wild Gift stands as one of the 1980s' most fully realized rock & roll LPs. John Doe and Exene Cervenka bring altogether more personal and biting lyrics to the mic, making for riveting, curiosity-promoting performances. ("If I wrote a song like 'White Girl,'" Doe tells critic Kristine McKenna in this remaster's liner notes, "there was an unspoken pact that this may happen, but I love you more.") From the metallic riff of "It's Who You Know" to the surf-wise lines of "In This House That I Call Home," guitarist Billy Zoom is given freer rein, while drummer D.J. Bonebrake fuses the Ramones and Beefheart to enduring effect on "We're Desperate" (improved from an early single version by a slight lyric change). And "Back 2 the Base" and "Year 1" stand out as two of the most complex statements about punk's icon-smashing impulses ever. The 45-rpm take of "We're Desperate" is included here, along with six other bonus tracks. Shut up and smoke. --Rickey Wright

Product Description

Porterhouse Records (home of the early Circle Jerks titles) have launched a new imprint entitled "Porterhouse Prime Vinyl" to reissue 180 gram remastered and sanctioned reissues of classic punk rock titles, and the label will be exclusive to Cobraside! First out of the gate is X's 1981 classic, their second studio album, originally produced by Ray Manzerek, here remastered by John Doe and issued with full inner sleeve and original lyric sheet as well as original album artwork. Rolling Stone Magazine has called it "the finest American punk album ever". --This text refers to the Vinyl edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wild, March 6, 2002

By 

Edward Bosnar - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wild Gift (Audio CD)

Although otherwise sophisticated and astoundingly knowledgeable on matters of music, most people I know in this corner of Europe have never even heard of X, to say nothing of being familiar with any of their albums or songs (many were also surprised by the fact that ex-Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek acted as producer for a punk band). So I was only too happy to shell out the shipping costs to order this CD (all my cassettes long since lost or permanently `borrowed') to enlighten friends, acquaintances and other music lovers. "Wild Gift" is probably the most standard X album, and the bonus tracks on this edition are a really good supplement to the original tracks. Although not as hardcore as other U.S. punk legends like the Ramones or Dead Kennedys, X's early works from the late `70s and early `80s still sound fresh and relevant.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite X album, April 9, 2002

By 

A. M. Rowe "music, book, and game freak" (N. Syracuse, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wild Gift (Audio CD)

This is my favorite X album. Every song is perfect, or very near close to being perfect! Great lyrics, great music! This has many of the best songs X ever wrote, including "The Once Over Twice", "White Girl", "In This House That I Call Home", ect. I notice some of the x-tra songs have already been included on the X anthology. X were the best American punk band, ever. A punk band that managed to pull off being romantic and poetic. But never cheesy.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars That Wild Los Angeles Sound, December 9, 2004

By 

Erik Rust (Lexington, KY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wild Gift (Audio CD)

If the chaotic howl of LOS ANGELES was up your alley then you're sure to get some more kicks from WILD GIFT. Again, the legendary L.A. punks plod along like wild stallions with their patented formula of dissonant harmony, hit and run rockabilly guitar-slinging, and a rockbed of unbridled rhythm. The approach remains much the same with the exception of a few new tricks such as the cha-cha-ish "Adult Books," which remains an X classic. Other standouts include the riotous "We're Desperate," the sexy chug of "Universal Corner," and the lightning strike that is "Beyond and Back." This re-packaged edition comes complete with some incendiary live performances and some exciting, though decidedly rough, demo takes. A notable bonus is the album booklet with an insightful essay, track analysis, and nifty photos. While WILD GIFT does not have quite the impact of the seminal LOS ANGELES, it still delivers a ferocious punch and proves to be equally unbridled and nearly as essential.