The American band The Calling got off to a flying start thanks to the song Wherever You Will Go. This radio-friendly song was featured in the successful feature film Coyote Ugly, but for some reasons it didn't make it to the soundtrack. Subsequently, the song made it to the top five of the US charts and the debut album Camino Palermo (2001) sold more than a million copies. In 2002 the single and
… album were released in Europe and since then it has also been going fast here with the quintet from Los Angeles. They make commercially responsible 'pop rock' with which they fish from the same pond as Bon Jovi, Train, Matchbox 20 and the Dutch Kane. The album starts strong with songs like Unstoppable and the aforementioned Wherever You Will Go. Halfway through the CD, however, it becomes clear that the songs often resemble each other and from that moment on the obligatory lyrics and predictable chord progressions get boring. Moreover, it is annoying to hear how often singer Alex Band tries to imitate the 'Eddie Vedder gasp'. For true rock fans, The Calling's music is probably too well-conceived and well-behaved, but the tens of thousands of MTV-watching teenagers love it. (MvP)more
