Description
To Heaven and Back is the eighth studio album by the American rock band The Call, released by Fingerprint Records in 1997, manufactured by Warner Alliance and distributed by Cadence Communications. The album was recorded by Daniel Presley at Brilliant Studios in San Francisco, California; with Presley and band member Michael Been producing. Mixed by Daniel Presley.
The Call might well be considered the very definition of the phrase “critic’s darling,” with endorsements from artists like Peter Gabriel and journalists such as L.A. Times’ Robert Hilburn. Music fans probably remember songs such as «The Walls Came Down», which received a good deal of exposure on MTV, and the anthemic «I still Believe», which was a hit for Russ Taff in 1987. Yet The Call was never able to rise above cult status, and after being unceremoniously bounced between three labels during the 1980s, the band languished in semi-retirement at the dawn of the ’90s. Its silence was broken by leader Michael Been’s 1994 solo project and his appearance on the Mark Heard tribute album.
In 1997, Warner Resound compiled The Best of The Call. That album’s modest success led to Cadence picking up the rights to this new record, originally released independently by the band.
The project includes some excellent examples of Been’s passionate, world-weary singing, and stellar performances by Jim Goodwin, whose superb organ and piano parts blend seamlessly with the sinewy, blues guitar of Tom Ferrier. If you’re searching for comparisons, think of artists like Counting Crows and The Wallflowers (both of whom site The Call’s influence).
As always, Been is a provocative songwriter, evidenced by tracks such as «Criminal», an allegorical account of Christ’s betrayal, and «What are You Made Of», a challenge to let one’s faith be seen by the world. Music this intense, raw and real needs to be heard in the Christian market. Hopefully To Heaven and Back will be a wake-up call. [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, June 1998]
The Call, Mark Heard, Bruce Cockburn, King’s X, Pierce Pettis, Tonio K, 77’s… what do all these artists have in common? They are just some of the large number of Christian artists who have attracted great critical acclaim without ever achieving the success their reviews might suggest. What causes this phenomenon is, I don’t know, but I digress. After an eight-year absence The Call finally return to the fray with a surprisingly low-key release on small US indie label Fingerprint. 11 songs, three of which have been heard before («World On Fire» was from ‘Light Sleeper OST‘ and «Become America» and «All You Hold Onto» were on the recent ‘Best Of‘), but all three are totally new versions. Stylistically, the album mostly uses the same organic brush as their last album, ‘Red Moon‘, but paints with a more varied palette. «Soaring Bird» actually sounds a bit like Tom Petty and the psychedelic US single «Love Is Everywhere» and the loop-driven «What Are You Made Of» provide some variety. Despite recording on secular labels until now, Michael Been has never been shy of recording songs about what he calls personal politics – songs about spiritual and ethical concerns. He hasn’t stopped now – «All You Hold On To» reminds us that our heart is where our treasure is and «What Are You Made Of» exhorts the listener to examine his/her values. A couple of tracks fall a little short of the rest, but nevertheless, it is definitely good to have them back! [James Lewis, Cross Rhythms, December 1998]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/to-heaven-and-back/1443553077)
CD tracklist:
01. Soaring Bird – 4:06
02. Criminal – 4:20
03. Love Is Everywhere – 4:42
04. World On Fire – 5:11
05. Think It Over – 5:09
06. Musta Been Outta My Mind – 3:28
07. All You Hold On To – 3:25
08. Compromise – 3:55
09. Become America – 3:38
10. What Are You Made Of – 4:25
11. Confession – 5:55
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