"Call of the West" is the second studio album by American new wave band Wall of Voodoo. It was released in 1982 by I.R.S. Records. Founded in Los Angeles, California, Wall of Voodoo is recognized for their unique blend of new wave, punk, post-punk, and Western sounds, with elements of film music and spaghetti western tunes.
The album became popular for its synth music mingled with country music themes, essentially categorizing it in a genre known as "Western Synth". The most famous track on the album is "Mexican Radio," which gained considerable radio play upon its release and placed in the Billboard Top 100 charts. The song has remained the band's signature track.
"Call of the West" was the last album to feature the original members of Wall of Voodoo. Vocalist Stan Ridgway left the band shortly after its release, pursuing a successful solo career. The band continued without him, producing several more albums but never quite recapturing the particular musical chemistry of "Call of the West".
The album was critically well-received for its creative and eclectic sound, and "Mexican Radio" in particular has been frequently credited as an enduring classic of the new wave genre. The overall theme of the album explores the mythology of the American West, with storytelling and atmospheric sonic elements contributing to its distinctive character.
