X - Wild Gift (1981) {2001 Rhino Reissue} [FLAC]

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" (which would serve as a title for their 1997 two-CD anthology). 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.

Like Rhino's 2001 reissue of the Ramones' Leave Home, which offered more bonus material than the group's debut, the label's 2001 expanded reissue of X's second album, Wild Gift, offers more (and more interesting) bonus tracks than Los Angeles. Of course, Wild Gift isn't the dip in quality that Leave Home was -- it's the equal of Los Angeles, only with a wider stylistic reach -- so it doesn't need the added enticement that Leave Home did, but the addition of single versions of "We're Desperate" and "White Girl," live versions of "Beyond and Back" and "Back 2 the Base," a hot rehearsal version of "Heater," an early demo of "Blue Spark," and the previously unissued single mix of "The Once Over Twice" are all nice extras. These, along with Kristine McKenna's liner notes, enhance an already terrific album in yet another excellent punk-era reissue from Rhino. With the X, Ramones, and Elvis Costello reissues, as well as the Echo & the Bunnymen box, the label has started exploring an area of rock in desperate need of deluxe reissues of this sort, and they're doing their best work in years.