More THE CHAMELEONS Reactions: Script of the Bridge: kzread.info/dash/bejne/oH19laWQpNOwhbA.html Strange Times: kzread.info/dash/bejne/eaN1o8iresfIZbA.html Why Call It Anything?: kzread.info/dash/bejne/pYuIzZV6lMvXd6w.html The Fan and The Bellows: kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZayuxdKEYJfSiZc.html Tony Fletcher EP + Bonus Tracks: kzread.info/dash/bejne/npt_rdZrhsfKXZM.html Second Skin: kzread.info/dash/bejne/d56swa98p9fSmrQ.html Swamp Thing: kzread.info/dash/bejne/dpuLyKqBadO4dqQ.html Demin and Curls: kzread.info/dash/bejne/oKaa1qmAZrLLe9I.html Soul in Isolation: kzread.info/dash/bejne/q6WL1qiohrmbccY.html Paper Tigers: kzread.info/dash/bejne/fIyY0JSpf8nLqLQ.html In Shreds: kzread.info/dash/bejne/e6qhrqp_mbTMl8o.html

@jopgjfervcgz

6 ай бұрын

Hmmm

Excellent Artwork from The one and only Reg Smithies, who introduced me to "MC Escher" 😉

Fantastic reaction! I’m so pumped The Chameleons have clicked and resonated with you so well. They’re one of those rare bands where their potency and depth is evenly matched lyrically as well as musically. Have to be one of the greatest groups of the 80s. So happy to hear you’ll be reacting to both “The Fan and the Bellows” and “Why Call It Anything.” Can’t wait for “Strange Times!”

Glad that you're adding two more Chameleons albums!

Don’t think anyone here has mentioned it but this second album was full of older songs that were written at the same time as songs on Script but they put the album together to get out of their contract with Statik. The only song that was new was “Home Is Where The Heart Is” which is probably why you noticed a departure in sound. I think had they not rushed this album to fulfill a contractual obligation it would have been better. Mark’s even said some of these studio recordings are inferior to the ones recorded for their Peel sessions.

Nostalgia is absolutely a masterpiece

@AlexHaitz

6 ай бұрын

I’ll be doing that on The Fan and Bellows compilation reaction.

PS Goodbye is one for the ages. Great video Alex, can't wait for Strange Times, its my favourite by them and is my favourite album of 86.

@AlexHaitz

6 ай бұрын

Bold claim with The Queen is Dead in ‘86 as well!

I know i'm probably asking much since you're going to check The Fan And The Bellows and Why Call It Anything? but honestly if you really vibe with all Chameleons stuff from the 80's you REALLY need to listen their EP that came out after Strange Times, it's called "Tony Fletcher Walked on Water.... La La La La"; It's basically The Chameleons at their more atmospheric and dreamy side and you can tell they were embracing the dream pop sound. It's sad because after Tony Fletcher passed away (their manager) and some inner fights and arguments between Mark and Dave they split up so we never really saw what they were cooking for the fourth album after Strange Times, we can only imagine what was going to be like, but listening that EP you can see what they were aiming for, it's only four songs but i think is really worth to check it out, that EP is a hidden gem in an already hidden gem that was The Chameleons in the 80's.

@AlexHaitz

6 ай бұрын

I'll just tack it onto the Fan and Bellows video. Would rather grab everything on the first pass so I don't have to return for something small!

@oscar57722

6 ай бұрын

​@@AlexHaitz That's a great idea since it's just a small EP, better to listen to it together with The Fan And The Bellows compilation, if you like Strange Times you're also going to like or even love that EP too :)

My favourite band, and also still amazing live :)

Colin was the engineer from the studio the band did their own production mainly on the first two albums

Yes!

The qualities of composing catchy and original melodies are still very present on this second effort from the band. The sound of the guitars is still magnificent and constitutes the trademark of this band. The problem lies in the overly polished sound of the rhythm section and the omnipresent layers of synthesizers. The bass guitar has lost some of the bite of the post punk sound of the first album. Although the drummer's performance is interesting and dynamic, the sound of the drums loses its interest in a sound production that is too 80s. A good album, but which in its production tries too hard to please the masses. Fortunately, the return to a more direct sound with Strange Times will mark the band's return to its post-punkie origins.

For me this is their best album, it definitely gets better with each listen, and it confuses me to no end why Chameleons fans generally remain indifferent to it. You're right about Script riding off the coat tails of Second Skin. What Does Anything Mean is far more consistent, Script does drag in places and starts to get repetitive towards the middle-end.

@matthewsimental9688

Ай бұрын

I agree, I think this is the best album and I’m also unsure why many fans don’t view it the same way.