Camino Palmero [ENHANCED]

The Calling

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 10, 2001)
• Original Release Date: July 10, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B00005K9T9
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (371 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,309 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
While this Los Angeles quintet doesn't blaze any new trails, they have revived the power ballad to give it their own emotionally charged spin. And if that weren't enough, they inject so many inspirational messages into the 11 songs on their debut that one could almost mistake them for a contemporary Christian band. Musically, this band stands proudly next to such earnest forebears as Creed, matchbox twenty, and Lifehouse. The latter makes sense given that Calling guitarist Sean Woolstenhulme's brother, Rick, is Lifehouse's drummer. With their brooding, contemplative lyrics about love, loss, rejection, and revenge, the Calling embark on an anxious journey into the state of modern relationships. And while they don't offer any conclusions, they certainly provide an interesting mirror on an apprehensive time. Along with their sturdy musicianship and rhythmically driven melodies, this band very likely will enjoy a longer shelf life than most of their contemporaries. --Jaan Uhelszki

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

149 of 150 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an unbelievable and refreshing new cd, July 11, 2001

By	"canedog017" (pa) - See all my reviews

When I first heard "Wherever You Will Go" on the radio, I was instantly attracted to it. I was heading to the store the day it came out and thats what I did. This was the first cd that I bought where I listened to the every song the whole way through before I listened to another one. Lead singer Alex Band's amazing vocal range is showcased on such tracks as "Could It Be Any Harder" and "Things Don't Always Turn Out That Way". Here is a little bit about each track:

1. "UNSTOPPABLE"

This was the best choice for the opening song on the cd. Alex talks about how he wants one night with his girl and if he got it they would be "unstoppable." A good upbeat song. 4 1/2 stars (out of 5).

2. "NOTHING'S CHANGED"

I'm not sure but I think he is talking about his parents in this song and how they are to blame for his wrongs. Kind of sounds a little like Hootie and the Blowfish. 4 stars.

3. "WHEREVER YOU WILL GO"

This is the first single off of the album and if you obviously know what this song is like if you are here looking at this cd. 5 stars.

4. "COULD IT BE ANY HARDER"

One of the more slower songs on the album. Alex's voice is beautiful in this song. He goes high and low with incredible ease. In the chorus he sings, "Could it be any harder to say goodbye, could it be any harder to watch you go." 4 1/2 stars.

5. "FINAL ANSWER"

Alex sings here to a girl about how he wants her to be with him forever and all the good times they have been through. He is waiting for her final answer. Similar to "Unstoppable". 4 stars.

6. "ADRIENNE"

He sings to a girl named Adrienne who cheated on him and how he was so good to her and she used him. Also similar to Hootie. 4 1/2 stars.

7. "WE'RE FORGIVEN"

Excellent lyrics on this song, but it is my least favorite musical song. Alex sings about passing homeless people on the street and not paying them any mind and just going on living our lives and having fun. In the chorus he sings "So we laugh, and we smile, and we play our games of sweet denial, but dont tell me we're forgiven." 3 1/2 stars.

8. "THINGS DON'T ALWAYS TURN OUT THAT WAY"

Aside from their first single, this is the best song on the cd. Alex's vocals are almsot surreal in this song. The song is about a guy who really likes this girl but he just cant bring up the words to tell her. 5 stars.

9. "JUST THAT GOOD"

Another song reminiscent of Hootie. Not too sure about meaning of song. Chorus goes "don't hate me cause I'm just that good." 3 1/2 stars.

10. "THANK YOU"

The shortest song on the cd. Probably the most up-tempo as well. Just an excellent feel good song. 4 stars.

11. "STIGMATIZED"

This is the slowest song on the cd. Sort of reminds me musically of "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls. Perfect beautiful song to end the cd with. 4 1/2 stars.

All in all this is an absolutely wonderful cd and anyone who is a fan of music should have this cd in their collection.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A powerful and invigorating debut album, January 5, 2002

By	Brian Addison (Fullerton, CA United States) - See all my reviews

The Calling's "Camino Palmero" is so overwhelmingly well-orchestrated that it shocks me the album hasn't been given much spotlight (considering what N*Sync gets...). Ironically, the album was purchased completely outta the blue, never having heard one song and getting a recommendation from a friend who had heard them previously. The purchase has been one of the best albums I have bought over the year.

With an incredible display of musical and lyrical talent, The Calling creates an album that can rock you as much as relax you. No, the album is by no means in comparison to Korn or Linkin Park's style of rock -- this is real rock, played with guitars, drums and bass. No DJ scratching, no cross-genre mixing.

"Wherever You Will Go", the album's first single, is a beautiful display of a heartfelt lyric mixed with infectious guitar and drum beats. One of the album's strongest cuts, this ballad shows the band's honesty in their words and expressing their ideas -- along with the lead singer's incredible bravado. More harder songs, focusing on a more rhythmic beat than slow-dancing, include "Final Answer" and the album's opening cut, "Unstoppable". The first cut remains one of the best songs lyrically -- describing the harshness of wanting someone, knowing the beautiful things that could happen by being with that person if you could be.

However, "Camino Palmero"'s strongest point lies in one of their other ballads, "Could It Be Any Harder". Musically speaking, the orchestration of vocals and instruments are absolutely incredible, creating an infectious array of sounds that relax the listener. Lyrically, the gorgeous layout of honest emotions are displayed with brutal intensity and lovely harmony.

Overall, The Calling has proved that it can withstand the pickiness of the public while refusing to be trendy or full of clichés. Their debut album is just as incredible as it is shocking that it is their debut album. Filled with intense lyrics, heartfelt music and amazing, deep vocals, "Camino Palmero" truly ignites the listener. An album definitely worth purchasing.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lyrically Dramatic and Emotionally Compelling, November 11, 2001

By	Chris Becker (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

I first saw the band, The Calling, on November 9th in Minneapolis. They were opening the show for Lifehouse. Within seconds of the band taking the stage, I was taken by the sound and performance. The moment that I heard the amazing vocal power of lead singer Alex Band, I became a fan. The band is fueled by the screaming sonic guitars of Aaron Kamin and Sean Woolstenhulme, and the charismatic presence of lead singer Alex Band. Alex displays a vocal and lyrical emotion so powerful, it is truly unprecedented. Needless to say, within 24 hours of the performance, I owned the CD. The album is truly amazing. The band encompasses many common emotions that are experienced along the rollercoaster of life. Tracks One and Two show the listener the screamingly prolific guitar sound of Woolstenhulme and Kamin, and the dramatic and heartfelt vocals of Alex Band. Track Three, "Wherever You Will Go", gives an accurate portrayal of the pain and anguish that a person experiences during the loss of a relationship. Track Six, "Adrienne", shows the deep emotion poured into the lyrics of the band; the listener gets an incredible demonstration of Alex's vocal ability. The last track I will comment about is Track Eleven. "Stigmatize" will bring a tear to any listener's eye, I know it did for me. The listener is shown the astounding intamacy that The Calling produces with their music. The album is a "must have" for anyone looking for romantically dramatic lyrics and deeply expressive and personal music; music with meaning and substance.