Lovely fall day here today ... I went for a walk with my dog and was thinking about posting the song "View from a Hill" for you all ... but when I did a search in the artists' lounge, I found there were no entries for the band who wrote it. While I think surely the name has come up before (not sure where though ... Neill again?) At any rate, this is a band who deserves their own page.
The Chameleons (a.k.a The Chameleons UK in the U.S.) were a foursome from Manchester, England, who, in my opinion, were one of the greatest bands to come out of the 1980s post-punk scene. They are commonly credited for influencing the likes of The Smiths, Catherine Wheel, Comsat Angels, and more recently, Interpol. The first time I ever heard the band back in the mid 80s, I was totally blown away.
I read something recently, where an author who was reviewing a 20+ year old album felt a sense of envy toward the person who got to experience hearing and falling in love with it for the first time. The Chameleons first album, _Script of the Bridge_ is, for me, that type of gem. Anyone familiar with the album will remember the lead-in quote on the first song, "Don't Fall," ... a snippet of conversation by two british voices from an old film: "In his Autumn before the Winter comes man's last mad surge of youth," followed by a woman's perplexed response, "What on earth are you talking about?" - after which a gloriously dark guitar riff propels the listener into a tense spiraling wall of echoey guitars, and Mark Burgess' brooding vocals. From the first time I heard it, this song picked me up by the scruff of my neck and would not put me back down. But fortunately, that's not where my love of The Chameleons ended. _Script of the Bridge_ is a tremendous album, that, after the initial onslaught of "Don't Fall," weaves in and out of a blend of dream pop and moody rockers. The two albums that followed - the harder edged, _What Does Anything Mean, Basically_, and moodier _Strange Times_ were no disappointment in comparison. Yet as much attention as these albums should have garnered The Chameleons, they never broke through to any deserved amount of mainstream success. But it wasn't for lack of musical prowess or great songs. The group ultimately broke up in 1986, leaving a bevy of disappointed fans who would wait nearly 15 years before they reunited for one last album containing new material, and a subsequent tour (though an additional recording has since been released containing acoustic restylings of previously released songs). I've always kicked myself for missing my chance to see them live both times ... but suffice to say, the Chameleons sit comfortably amongst my favorite artists of the 80s, and the albums still sound every bit as good to me today as they did then. So without further ado, here's "Don't Fall," because I spoke about it above ... but more will follow in comments.
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An essential band. I only found them a few years ago. At least you, Neill, Dale, and I have been mentioning them here and there and, like you, l thought that I'd seen posts about them before. The gap wouldn't have gone unfilled this long! Maybe people who'd posted about them before have left MOG. In any case, more love for Chameleons is most welcome!
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Hi Pekka, good to have you back! Yes, more love for the Chameleons is called for ... glad you agree :)
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Feeling it as much as I did back in the day, Erin. Was crazy about their first album, and even had a couple of extended remixes on vinyl. Collector's items? I'll bet.
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Mike, wow, yeah I'm sure the remixes have gained in value! I'd love to hear those. Cool to know you were into them as well.
Another, from _What Does Anything Mean, Basically_ (a line I quote often):
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And the one that was originally on my mind:
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Yes someone recently brought them up I think it was in a comment somewhere because I've just started listening to them as well. And it was because of something someone wrote somewhere, probably Neill! Thanks for all the mp3's now I know where to go next.
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I can help you out with that, D ... you know where to find me :)
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I know I've posted about them, but no matter, I enjoyed your take on them. I came onto them not long ago, so I'm just playing catch-up. And I totally agree that "Don't Fall" is one of the great album openers; it grabs you hard and doesn't let go.
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I'd love to read what you had to say Dale ... point me in the right direction?
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I was not capable of liking this type of music about a year ago. Then MOG came into my life. Now, I think it is the cats meow. Thanks little kittie. I know where to find you and you better have some food for big kittie when he get there. :) Great post Erin, thanks.
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Can't find it, must have been an early one that I deleted. Sorry.
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...And why is this the first time I've heard a song from them? I've heard of them of course, but....wow. I'm kicking myself right now.
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That Erin brings the music-crack bigtime; it runs in the family. ;)
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here, kitty, kitty ... marigold, I have a warm saucer of milk waiting for you ... and a big slab o' lizard to go with it! Chameleons are tasty chow, yes? meeee-ow
Dale - the trashcan is not the correct place for your posts, bro. tisk tisk.
Jules - better late than never - go get Script of the Bridge and rectify the situation now! :)
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Oh dear. Interpol? Yes. Editors? Yes. Does that mean that I like? Hell yes.
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HOLD THE PHONE... did Mike just use the turn of phrase... _"the cat's meow"_ ???
I LOVE THIS PLACE !!!
I have nothing of their library I am ashamed to say as they are on a few mixes/compilations & I've loved every bleeding tune... Sis, gotta say...
AWESOME POST !!!
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EMCD indeed !!!
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Anna m'dear, when I saw Interpol the other night the similarities were loud and clear ... You are going to LURVE them.
You too, Lizzie ... click click click click ;)
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HAHAHAHA that EMCD graphic still kills me!
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...and from the rare as Hen's teeth collection "From the Shores of Lake Placid", comes Lori and the Chamelons "The Lonely Spy" - beats anything the band did hands down, IMHO!
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i love these guys. interpol definitely should thank them.
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oharris ... I'm a bit confused ... trying to figure out if that was a non sequitur, or ??? Lori and the Chameleons are completely new to me btw. But I did notice The 2 Chameleons are listed as producer on that album. Interesting song. You knockin' my band? ;)
Hi wtc - Thanks for dropping by.
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I'm with you Dale that graphic is pure CRACK !!!!
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Refreshing sound. Thanks.