Chrome Box (Dlx) [Box set]

Chrome | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 5, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Cleopatra
• ASIN: B001B6FYDU
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #58,293 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Chromosome Damage

2. The Monitors

3. Pygmies in Zee Park

4. Slip It to the Android

5. Pharaoh Chromium

6. Magnetic Dwarf Reptile

See all 20 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. New Age

2. Eyes on Mars

3. Jonestown

4. Animal

5. Static Gravity

6. Eyes in the Center

See all 19 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. The Manifestation (Of the Idea)

2. Firebomb

3. Shadows of a Thousand Years

4. Future Ghosts

5. Armageddon

6. Heartbeat

See all 15 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a little disappointing, October 13, 2009

By 

N. Huston (at large) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chrome Box (Dlx) (Audio CD)

as someone who bought the original vinyl release of the chrome box back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, and who has regretted selling it for about ten years (it was worth almost two months' rent; it HAD to go - or so i thought!), i must confess that i'm a little disappointed in this reissue.

the original release was comprised of five massive slabs of vinyl, including EVERY track from the band's first few albums (plus assorted singles, rarities, etc). the cleopatra reissue is missing a good chunk of that original music.

the liner notes on each CD also left a little to be desired. sure, the band's history and other info are readily available online, BUT it seems as though the writer couldn't be bothered to doublecheck much of that available history.

minor drawbacks, though, really, in the grand scheme of things. the music that IS here is still some of the harshest, coldest, meanest futurism ever recorded ('half machine lip moves' is one of my desert island LPs), has never been exactly easy to find, and is well worth the relatively low cost of this set. i just wish there was more here to listen to! i'd have gladly paid double the asking price, maybe even more, for the full meal.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Creme de la Chrome, June 7, 2009

By 

Michael W. Draine (Acton, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chrome Box (Dlx) (Audio CD)

This incredible 55-track, 231-minute compilation documents the original acid punk assault squad's 1978-83 prime. Three CDs trace the Helios Creed/Damon Edge period from the lo-fi mutant thrash of "Alien Soundtracks" to the apocalyptic soundscapes of "Raining Milk." Robotic drumming, scorched-earth guitar, brain-jarring edits, and A Clockwork Orange sensibility fueled Chrome's psychodyleptic maelstrom. Taking cues from the Residents, Hawkwind, the Stooges, and Philip K. Dick, Chrome blazed a trail for a generation of cyberpunk bands.
This budget remastered edition brings more vivid stereo imaging and bass impact, with alien transmissions emerging from the background. Though the live tracks still sound like an audience recording, the greater clarity imparted by the remaster is striking. The albums from which the tracks are derived are not indicated in the reduced liner notes, but the same information can now be found online.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Some of the coolest, trippiest music -- ever!, April 19, 2011

By 

Rich Latta (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chrome Box (Dlx) (Audio CD)

I'm amazed Chrome isn't more well known, but it's still pretty cool that they remain an underground sensation to this day . . . too bad they're long gone. Chrome were true pioneers in the cyber-punk realm (or whatever label you choose to use) and an extremely innovative band. This collection contains possibly most of their best material and it's a great place to start if you're willing to splurge on a 3-CD set. I prefer regular albums myself, but CHROME BOX is such a great bargain, especially with the added songs, and it's such a good listen through and through.

Chrome is like rock n' roll gone flying off the rails and barreling down a mountainside. Full of CAN-like propulsion (as in the band), tripped-out phased guitars and other weirdness, this music is so great to wig out on. These songs are loaded with bizarre instrumentation and otherworldly sounds that warp the music in strange, out-of-synch ways. And they're just so freakin cool. I often get a reckless feeling when I listen to this.

I would say the first disk is best, but every track in this set is at least good and most of them are fantastic. "Slip It To The Android" is on the first disk and it's my favorite. If you want to sample something before you purchase, this song alone should win you over. It has a bouncy rhythm including some sawing violin and the guitar sounds like a bleeping computer in sonic overdrive -- trip out! If these descriptions sound appealing to you, go ahead and pick this up - I sincerely doubt you'll be disappointed.

Highly recommended!