Into The Darkness K.f. Beene

It is the 13th studio album from the influential cult British band. Inspired by the band’s recent concerts in previously unvisited countries – Ukraine, Romania, Lithuania and Japan – Born Into The Waves evolves from four pieces composed by guitarist Justin Jones on the theme of love songs from around the world. This album encompasses a new spirit of optimism and liberation in the lyrics of vocalist Simon Huw Jones.

Coming off the success of the previous year's Reconciled, the Call returned in 1987 with Into the Woods. The slow-building "I Don't Wanna" is a bit ragged at moments but reaches an impressive sonic swell and Michael Been's vocals are passionate as always. "In the River"'s tone is forlorn, but backed by a solid, smoldering melody and gospel background vocals. A tumbling, percussive beat drives "It Could've Been Mean," a rumination on fate that is simple, yet effective. "Day or Night" probably comes the closest to best capturing the band's usual anthemic style. Much of In the Woods has a darker, more serious feel to it. The somber, introspective nature of the lyrics and the lack of a track with a hook as memorable as the radio hits from Reconciled undoubtedly doomed a further commercial breakthrough. However, Into the Woods is a worthy and challenging artistic follow-up.