Never heard a song by them and seeing as they are getting listed as influences all over these days someone start me on the right track.
― Chris V. (Chris V), Tuesday, 8 October 2002 14:39 (twenty-three years ago)
Without a doubt, "Strange Times."
― TMFTML (TMFTML), Tuesday, 8 October 2002 14:53 (twenty-three years ago)
Search: everything. Well, that's a bit off. ;-)
I pretty much own the Chameleons section in the AMG, Chris, so you'll find my extended ramblings there. Strange Times is indeed an absolutely incredible album from stop to start, but both the other studio albums from the band's first phase -- Script of the Bridge and What Does Anything Mean? Basically -- are equally wonderful. A lot of people don't like the production on What in particular, but I think it's just great -- huge, enveloping sound -- but if you'd like to compare and contrast, the Peel Sessions and the Radio 1 Evening Sessions discs between them have live or near-live takes on pretty much every song on that album. Then there's a slew of live releases and demo collections and all, but that's another kettle of fish! The newest full album from the reunion, Why Call It Anything, is enjoyable and has grown on me, while there are a couple of acoustic or near-acoustic collections -- Strip and the new album, The Neverending Now -- that are both worthy.
I remember when I first encountered the Chameleons back in 1992 I tried (and often succeeded) in getting friends to listen to them by calling them a lost link between early U2 and the Kitchens of Distinction, or more like what if early U2 had been done right and eight million times better. Mark Burgess has the same sense of empathy and big singing bravura as dear ol' Bono and all, but he just works for me a lot more successfully, whether in the turn of phrase or just how he performs in general (I was lucky enought to see a one-off solo show of his in San Francisco two years ago and was reminded again, like the times I had seen him earlier in the nineties on his own, what an absolutely intense, strong performer he is). But the Dave Fielding/Reg Smithies guitar partnership is just plain to die for, and John Lever drums with skill and strength in equal measure, as the other thread reconfirmed. ;-)
By all accounts the show they just played in Boston was a blinder and a half, and I probably would have forced you to go. ;-) They are my second favorite band ever after you know who, and there's a grace, power, beauty and empathy in them that I can't readily put into words. To have encountered their music and to have been lucky enough to have seen them live is to me as close to a blessing from beyond as I might ever get in this life.
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 8 October 2002 15:32 (twenty-three years ago)
I agree with Maura. I was at the Philly show and I had the biggest goofiest grin on my face from start to finish. I started listening to them when I was 16 and here I was at the age of 34 jumping up and down like a lunatic. I can't think of too many re-formed bands that could get that reaction from me. Part of it, for me, is that their old stuff holds up so well. I never stopped listening to those albums.They were beautiful then and they are now.
― Scott Seward, Tuesday, 8 October 2002 20:01 (twenty-three years ago)
Precisely!
Real answer: My Bloody Valentine, as the board archives can reveal in painful detail.
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 9 October 2002 03:17 (twenty-three years ago)
When I bought "Script of the Bridge" it was wrapped in yellow shrink wrap! I later traded it, and I'm not glad about that. I also had the "In Shreds" single. I later traded that too. Oh well.
― Sean (Sean), Wednesday, 9 October 2002 03:27 (twenty-three years ago)