Distance and irony are highly valued traits in the post-modern world, and maybe that explains why The Call never made it very far. Under the direction of Michael Been, the band conveyed a sense of urgency, caring, passion and vulnerability. Their curious brand of music mixed Peter Gabriel's songcraft with U2's messianic streak, and while it could be overbearing, it could also be inspiring. Most of their albums are M.I.A., but the first three are summarized on The Walls Came Down: The Best Of The Mercury Years.

That collection was rendered obsolete for more casual listeners by The Best Of The Call which adds later material on Elektra and MCA ("I Still Believe," "Let The Day Begin") to earlier highlights. Oddly, a number of fairly popular 90's bands (Live, Tragically Hip) bear more than a passing resemblance to the Call, but they've succeeded by hiding behind an air of detachment anathema to these boys from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.