After the big sounding (even by their standards)
Let the Day Begin,
The Call returned three years later with
Red Moon, an intimate-sounding, organic record, particularly the use of rich organ passages in many songs. Admirer
Bono makes a guest appearance on the warm, gospel-tinged "What's Happened to You," which edges the group toward
Band territory. The gentle, dreamy title song is one of the loveliest songs the band has ever done. As usual, songs like "You Were There" (driven by keyboardist
Jim Goodwin's saxophone playing) and the chugging "What a Day" feature
Michael Been's always literate, socially conscious lyrics. Other standout tracks include the twangy, shuffling "A Swim in the Ocean" and the punchy "Like You've Never Been Loved" (with
T-Bone Burnett on backing vocals). With its lovely textures and melodic songs,
Red Moon is start to finish the most fully realized and finest work. The group would disband following this album and not work together again for nearly a decade. ~ Tom Demalon