The Album Review Club - Christmas Break Until 8th January

journolud said:
I feel I should write something clever about how the Chameleons have disguised themselves and remained undetected by me, or anyone else for that matter but that if you looked (or listened) hard enough you would be able to make them out. I couldn't really think how to word it though so I haven't bothered.

And anyway, it wouldn't quite be true. I mentioned before I'd seen them in concert twice, at the behest of my wife and the last time I saw them at the Devil's Arse we were with a long time friend who I think is in that group of fans who are bordering on the fanatical.

The Devil's Arse gig was good but the venue adds to that. I could remember nothing about the time I saw them at the Academy or even which Academy it was. And I didn't knowingly listen to them in the years inbetween apart from in preperation for going to see them again and thinking I ought to be a little bit familiar with at least some of their songs. Oh and a half hearted effort after that last gig as an acknowledgement that it had been decent really.

But, well, as many have hinted at here, it all felt a bit nothingy and first couple of plays here that hadn't changed. But, to introduce another slightly tortuous animal analogy type thing, or whatever, they say a leopard can't change it's spots, but can it change it's ears or... nah forget that.

Something happened third or fourth time in on listening to this and I think I've become something of a convert. A proper one. I'm not going to become one of thier fanatical fans but I found a lot to like in this album and whereas I might have stuck to the original ten tracks I've been quite happy to let it run on to the bonus ones. There isn't a noticeable "join" where you think you're getting a bit of cutting room floor stuff just to pad it out. Well, apart from the pretty pointless and poor cover of John I'm Only Dancing. Either a musical joke or a poorly conceived idea. Tomorrow Never Knows is a much better cover though.

The stand out tracks are on what would presumably have been side one of a long player so by definition side 2 must have been slightly weaker. It's not a big drop off though. I get the Mark Almond comparisons, up to a point but it feels like they come from a very different musical base.

I listened to their first album, only once so far and my initial thoughts were that it was better and I had a distracted listen to their second earlier, too early to have formed an opinion about that.

All in all though, this is a belated find for me. It's a solid 7 but it's possible that with more listens it would go higher than that. I shall look forward to them touring again and going along wit my wife with more enthusiasm than previously.
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Manchester Albert Hall December 14th
 
Though, like others, I’m probably filing this nomination under “would have been better had I been there” I think I am more persuaded than some. The more I listened the better I liked it, suggesting that there was some quality in the song writing. The big issue with coming to something this late is trying to site it in in its original context and disentangling it from contemporary music and everything that came after it, in comparison to which it doesn’t always stand out in the way it might have at the time of its release. Nonetheless I tried to ignore that and just listen on merit and for me it’s a grower.

Burgess’s voice is limited but I was happy enough with it. He’s nicked vocal phrasing and tone from a few places but if he sounded slightly derivative at times, I was ok with that. The guitars seemed a bit one dimensional at first too but once again I kind of settled into a groove with them.

There are a handful of songs that enjoyed a bit more than the others, Tears I was already familiar with, Mad Jack, Serocity and Soul In Isolation and maybe Inside Out too. I wasn’t that big a fan of Swamp Thing tbh, it was ok but I thought it overstayed its welcome. I don’t think any of them are quite at the level of Up the Down Escalator.

People have already mentioned the various artists they sound like or who maybe sound like them and spotting those was an enjoyable aspect of the listens. On the reissued version, neither of the covers added anything for me.

Had I been listening to this at the time of its release I think there’s a chance I would have really liked it and would now look on it with great affection, I missed the boat and so I’m going for 6.5/10 but I will listen to their other albums too and I imagine if you’d ask me again in a few weeks my score would have gone up a notch. Good pick.
 
GornikDaze said:
Similar feelings for me too. Can’t help thinking it’s one of those albums that’s of its time. If you ‘grew up’ listening to it it would probably have more personal meaning and still retain its original edge. Hearing it fresh it just seems to lack and real originality and sounds rather familiar. I’ll persevere…
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Not much to add on further listens - not bad not great 5/10
 
Sorry shackattack, been absolutely gubbed this week, and only just about managed the one listen. Which is not enough for an album, I don't want to rush this one and will circle back and give it the time it deserves at some point. Then also surprise my good mate with some insightful chat on it.
 
I'm struggling with this one.

As others have said, it's very of it's time. In production at least.

What I'm getting is a lot of other styles, bands, front men etc etc but what I'm not getting is anything that would influence Oasis or any other brit pop ish band.

But do I like it?

In short, ish. I do like the monotonous guitars and incidental music. Sisters Of Mercy without the Goths. I don't like a lot of the vocals.

It's so very hit and miss for me I can only give it a 5.
 
The Chameleons - Strange Times

Crazy to know these had no real commercial success and how unnoticed they were/are - Some of the tracks on here especially Side 1 are good enough to rival The Smiths, Joy Division and Roses.
the run of tracks hit peak at 'Tears', 'Soul In Isolation', 'Swamp Thing' (what an intro!) 'Time,The End Of Time' and the lovely gentle 'Seriocity' - such good atmospheric indie songs.
Side 2 does fade out somewhat, few bland tracks that don't really go anywhere before heading to one of the worst cover songs i've ever heard 'John,I'm Only Dancing' .. dreadful! also wasn't keen on 'Tomorrow Never Knows'. Not sure why they added those covers on here.

Still, that side 1 is truly special.

8/10
 
Not a lot time to write a full review, disliked it on first hearing but it did grow on me.Voice reminded me of a Tim Burgess light and I also got BBs TTDE comparison.
I might listen any other album of theirs given time.

6/10
 
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