For
X's second release, 1981's
Wild Gift, the quartet followed the same path they had taken a year earlier on their debut,
Los Angeles, creating another batch of timeless compositions that merged the energy of punk rock with other musical styles. Former
Doors keyboardist
Ray Manzarek reprised his role as producer on what would turn out to be
X's last independent release before signing to Elektra. Included are such eventual punk standards as "We're Desperate," the melodic hookfest "White Girl" (sampled years later by
the Red Hot Chili Peppers in their song "Good Time Boys"), and "Beyond and Back." Other highlights include the '50s-prom feel of "Adult Books," the punk-pop composition "In This House That I Call Home," and the rapid "Back 2 the Base." While it may be a shade less exceptional than its predecessor,
Wild Gift is nonetheless a classic effort. ~ Greg Prato