Search - Ted Nugent :: Call of the Wild

Ted's Best Album Ever

Lawrence A. Strid | Mission Viejo, CA | 11/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was the second to the last album that Ted did while under the banner of his original band's name, The Amboy Dukes. Their next and last offering was "Tooth, Fang, & Claw", after which came the first solo album "Ted Nugent", which made him a star, and which featured "Stangehold" (I could never quite figure out this track's appeal, as it really doesn't feature a lead guitar solo, and the guitar is what Ted has always stood for). History aside, Ted's best work is CALL OF THE WILD, which absolutely rocks out and actually features some pretty good songs (Ted's weakness as a guitarist has always been his lack of having any really good songs, as opposed to his technical prowess), such as the feature cut "Call of the Wild", the instrumental "Renegade" which merges into the hard blues stomper "Rot Gut", and the best thing Ted ever put on wax (for my money),the very dramatic "Pony Express". This song builds slowly and rises to a musical climax, after which you want to catch your breath and have a cigarette, even if you don't smoke. Although the Amboy Dukes at this time were stripped down to a power trio format, the production values on the album are excellent, with keyboards, multiple electric guitars, and acoustic guitar blended into the mix, which serves to supplement but never overpower Ted's electric lead work and the urgency of the vocals of Ted and bass man Rob Grange. Ted's musical legacy has unfortunately been overshadowed by his political diatribes, his over the top machismo, and his recycling of his product (same songs, different titles), but for anyone who has ever wanted to debate why he should or shouldn't be included as one of the top ten rock guitarists of all time, then all I can say is that you should listein to this. If he never did anything after "Call of The Wild" this would have been his greatest musical legacy."

Good Stuff!

freedom78 | Indiana | 02/03/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A nice piece of classic rock n' roll. The band plays with energy and, though the songs aren't really top notch throughout, it's a thoroughly enjoyable album.



First half is more hard rockin'; second half more soaring and atmospheric (both bluesy and more progressive). It makes for a cool contrast and really shows what Ted Nugent can do with a guitar.



Good stuff!"