Strange Times
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| Strange Times | ||
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| Studio album by The Chameleons | ||
| Released | September, 1986 | |
| Recorded | 1986 at Jacob's Studio, Surrey, England | |
| Genre | Post-punk | |
| Length | 52:28 | |
| Label | Geffen Records | |
| Producer(s) | David M. Allen | |
| Professional reviews | ||
|---|---|---|
| The Chameleons chronology | ||
| What Does Anything Mean? Basically (1985) |
Strange Times (1986) |
Strip (2000) |
Strange Times, released in 1986 (see 1986 in music), is the third album released by The Chameleons.
The last of their three 'classic' albums, and ultimately a final evolution of their sound. The band still uses the studio as an instrument, without letting the songs lose their punch as had happened to some degree on the second album. The tone is more upbeat than previously, with epic acoustic offerings the order of the day, combined with a very clean production from Dave Allen and Mark Saunders. Strange Times, like the band's previous two albums, is seen by critics and fans alike as yet another flawless and individual album, and contains perhaps the band's signature song in 'Swamp Thing'. As on previous works, the playing and interplay between the musicians remains superb, and the delicate arrangements blend subtlety with power. Of particular note is the brilliant drumming throughout of John Lever.
The album is often packaged with a 'bonus EP/album' of songs, two of which are covers. Mark Burgess's Beatles fascination continues with a trippy six minute cover of 'Tomorrow Never Knows'. Although listed as 'Limited Edition' most original pressings of the album seem to include the bonus album, as do British and North American CDs. (The North American CD squeezes all tracks on one CD, whilst the UK one oddly spreads the tracks over two, despite the fact the total running time is below 80 minutes. Previous North American releases on single 74 minute CDs discarded 'Ever After'.)
Contents |
[edit] Track listing
All songs written by Mark Burgess, Dave Fielding, John Lever, and Reg Smithies.
- "Mad Jack" – 3:58
- "Caution" – 7:51
- "Tears (Original Arrangement)" – 5:07
- "Soul In Isolation" – 7:29
- "Swamp Thing" – 5:57
- "Time The End of Time" – 5:41
- "Seriocity" – 3:00
- "In Answer" – 4:54
- "Childhood" – 4:39
- "I'll Remember" – 3:46
The album was re-released in 1995 with the following additional bonus tracks, the last two of which are covers.
- "Tears (Full Arrangement)" – 5:10
- "Paradiso" – 4:35
- "Inside Out" – 3:34
- "Ever After" – 3:59
- "John, I'm Only Dancing" (David Bowie) – 2:30
- "Tomorrow Never Knows" (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) – 6:08
[edit] Personnel
[edit] Musicians
- Mark "Birdy" Burgess - bass, vocals
- Reg Smithies - guitar
- John Lever - drums, percussion
- Dave Fielding - guitar, strings
[edit] Technical
- Dave M. Allen - producer
- Mark Saunders - engineering
- Paul Corcket, Beki - assistant engineering, piano
- Reg Smithies - Cover
