Customer Reviews

Why Call It Anything

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Speaking of Miracles and Wonders! I can't say enough about the Chameleons new CD! I'm glad they were able to put aside their differences, because they make magic together. I've been a fan since I first heard "Thursday's Child," from Script of the Bridge. Their music sounds even better each time I go back and listen.

Why Call It Anything contains their trademark ("shimmering" as one reviewer noted) guitar sound and thoughtful lyrics, and at times ventures into other territory. The last two songs have an almost "new age" feel. "Miracles and Wonders" contains some African sounding percussion and vocals alongside the layered guitar work. It's an interesting combination.

"Shades" and "Indiana" show how the band can still rock.

"Lufthansa" contains the line "A little rain's going to keep on falling on me. I'm going to keep on calling to you. I'm on fire beside you." It's quite memorable, and it just goes to show that the simplest creations are usually the best.

"All Around" is a mostly acoustic number that in the end sounds like the sun setting on a town in the old west!

Every song stands on its own, really. I just hope they continue to make beautiful music together. Give this CD a listen, and another, and another... because it sinks in deep.

WCIA is a confident, balanced, comeback album by one of the most dependably excellent bands I've ever heard. Lyrically and melodically it's not quite as strong as its three full-length predecessors. But there are no weak tracks, the production is wisely more reserved, and the band explores new styles and genres ambitiously and successfully without losing their trademark "coldwave" sound. This disc not only stands up to repeated play but grows stronger with each listen. Be careful though... The Chameleons (UK) are one of those groups where once you listen to one album you suddenly NEED to own absolutely everything else they've ever done. Ten purchases from now don't say I didn't warn you.

It is so thrilling to have new Chameleons to listen to. There is no band that touched my heart and soul during the darkest hours of a turbulent youth like these boys did. And this album is not only excellent on its own merits, but the signiture sounds of the echoing guitar and Mark's unmistakable vocals bring back memories associated with so many of their other classic songs. This is a treat for the fans!

The Chameleons in the year 2001 have changed their sound leaving in a secondary role the bass and drum lines and giving priority to crystal and acoustic guitars, vocal harmonies and chorus line.

The album opens with Shades, the strongest and catchiest song. The following songs grow in lyric depth which dive us in quiet and intimate ambients where the vocal harmonies are the main instrument.

As it was being a general rule in the solo works of the bassist of The Chameleons after their splitup, Mark Burgess gives more importance to the vocal line than to the bass line, and new sounds are added to the songs like a hammond organ or the reggae voice of Kwasi Asante. On this, the fourth studio album, we have the delicate harmony beauty of Music In The Womb with its sad organ or Lufthansa, the long ambiental evolution of Miracle and Wonders with reggae rythms and chorus fusion, the harmony experimentation of Truth Isn't Truth Anymore nearer to a progressive rock style and the last chorus line of Dangerous Land by the rest of the members of The Chameleons.

The album includes a revision of Indian, originally included on Strip and now called Indiana which includes more rythmical and melodic arrangements.

In short, a great change in the evolution of this band who doesn't want to look back at the past, opening their musical style to sounds that didn't belong to the band years ago.

After a break of more then 10 years The Chameleons first came back with the acoustic album "Strip". This was not mentioned the fourth album from The Chameleons by it's members. So, the true fans had to wait a little longer for the 4th official album. But it was worth the waiting !!!!!! Unmistakable The Chameleons with 2001 influences. Beauty of songs like Anyone Alive ?, Lufthansa and Dangerous Land and up-tempo's like Shades and Indiana. Just mentioning some tracks, but the others are as good. Well, me as a critical fan for quit some years couldn't find a weak spot on this album. Some say it's a grower, because it's not a Strange Times II. Well, my opinion : Off course, it isn't !!! we're 15 years later. But may be some need a bit of time realy liking it, give it the time, because it's realy a great album. And for those who never heard The Chameleons before ; this is the time to start listening to them. To all I wanted to say, enjoy or re-enjoy the sound of The Chameleons, because a joy it is !! And I mustn't forget almost an hour of joy (57 min. !!!!) Thank U Chams for returning !!!!

This disc sounds exactly the way you would hope the Chameleons would sound after a long absence. Their trademark sound with a cutting edge feel....beautiful.

Their last album came out in 1986 titled Strange Times. The band's first album, Script of the Bridge could be considered the equivalent of the Beatle's White Album for the 80's. But forget the retro tag. The boys were always ahead of their time musically and lyrically. They say U2's Edge used to go see them play in Manchester when the band first formed late '79, early '80. Well listen to Script of the Bridge and tell me where you've heard that unique guitar sound before? The album was released prior to U2's first album. Hey, I'm not dissing U2 by any means but let's give credit where credit is due. Any other number of 80's bands could have their sound partly traced back to the Chameleons. The Fixx and Psychedelic Furs come to mind. The new album is in line with the band's evolution to a more acoustic sound as evidenced by their recent live release of reworked originals. If you're a rabid fan whose hung on these last 15 years you shouldn't be disapointed. Let's hope they do some shows in America. This is one of those bands that's really too good for radio so a new generation of fans won't get to hear them unless by chance. It's really a shame. The best diamonds are always well hidden. At least those of us in the know can smile at the world and feel blessed that we few know the joy of the Chameleons music. Here's to the next one!

I have only recently begun to get into the Chameleons. It's a damn shame that they are not very well known in the U.S. as they are really an amazing band. Needless to say, they are light-years beyond most of the junk on the radio, MTV, etc.

This album is produced by Dave Allen, who also produced their masterwork, Strange Times. I would say this album is only slightly less brilliant than Strange Times. It has a more mellow, acoustic feel overall. But as with U2, Echo and the Bunnymen and the Church, this is how you would hope and dream that an incredible "80s" rock band would sound as they mature. Like a fine wine, they get better with age....

The Chameleons first studio album since 1986 'Strange Times' has been a long awaited return by followers of the Middleton four. The Chameleons have produced an album that has built on their old sound but hasn't just simply tried to recreate it. This album is not about the past; it's about now. Marks Burgess's lyrics are less dark and the sound of the songs are lighter. Dave Fielding and Reg Smithies have not discarded their unique guitar sounds but John Levers drums are less prominent than they have been in the past, which has softened their sound slightly. 'Miracles and Wonders is the highlight of the Album and is already becoming, to me a Chameleons classic. They have produced something that has been worth waiting for.

Chameleon's fans will buy it and love it, but anyone with `a thing' for guitar based, bass driven, lyric focussed, ambient rock will do the same.

This new album proves the how talented Mark Burgess & co. always were. It is not a rehash of old ideas, nor is it the product of musicians treading water. It isn't an exercise in nostalgia (pun intended). It is a very good collection of new songs by one of the most under-appreciated English bands of all time. One reviewer called the music a cross between Joy Division and very early U2, but this comparison is barely in the ball park.

I just got back from Atlanta from seeing the first show of the 2002 Chameleons' US tour. The songs from this new album are excellent played live!