X's 1987 release
See How We Are saw the band hook up with new guitarist
Tony Gilkyson, who replaced original member
Billy Zoom. Since the two guitarists had a similar style (punk and rockabilly),
Gilkyson fit in quite well. Instead of returning to their previous producer
Michael Wagener, the group enlisted the help of newcomer
Alvin Clark, who merges the punk sound of
X's earlier work with Wagener's glossy approach. Included as the title track is one of
X's all-time best ballads -- proof of how beautiful and affecting
John Doe and
Exene Cervenka's vocal harmonies can be. Also featured are the anthemic rocker "4th of July" (written by ex-Blasters and sometimes
X fill-in guitarist
Dave Alvin), and the standouts "In the Time It Takes," "I'm Lost," and "Surprise Surprise." Although they were still penning fine tunes and giving great concerts (as evidenced by the 1988 live set
Live at the Whiskey a Go-Go),
X would take several years off after wrapping up the tour for
See How We Are, not issuing a new studio album until 1993. ~ Greg Prato