Customer Reviews

Chrome Box (Dlx)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

I was delighted to find this on disc as many of my friends have wanted CHROME music in any form for a very long time. Reflecting the coments made by others, this is a great set containing most of the essential vinyl on disc. CHROME were pre-punk, pre-industrial, pre-noise, and pre-dub. CHROME is a relief when one starts taking rock music too seriously and need a head-cleaning. With the exception of the band Shockabilly, who's trashes covers of your most precious classic rock tunes, CHROME takes all of the foundations of traditional rock and adds forks to the garbage disposal in terms of noise, rythym, riffage, and lyrics. ART, (not artsy) is what you get. A MUST HAVE for serious music fanatics. Just GET IT!

Can't really add much to the one above other then, 2nd that. Get it, it's like getting a pound of gold for the cost of an ounce.