The scratchy rockabilly country of Disneyland After Dark's (the shortened
D:A:D was a few years down the road) domestic debut, 1986's
Call of the Wild, is a far cry from the straightforward hard rock boogie that would typify their international breakthrough three years later. One-minute intro "Land of Their Choice" establishes Jacob Binzer's jangly, '50s geetar style as the album's most distinctive signature, and ensuing country & western-tinged numbers like "Call of the Wild," "Riding With Sue," "Rock River," and "Son of a Gun" ride it for all that their worth. Less over-the-top, but equally laden with spaghetti western lyrics, the easier-going groove of "Johnnie" points to the future, but the nicotine jitters of "Marlboro Man" and the weird pop of "Jackie O" are another matter entirely. The first owes its every nervous tick to
the Cramps, while the second poses a Bizarro World take on
Duran Duran's "Girls on Film." Production values are also scarce here, but what it lacks in finesse,
Call of the Wild more than makes up for in terms of wacky authenticity -- quite a ride! ~ Eduardo Rivadavia