The Chameleons UK - The Fan & the Bellows

Title: The Fan & the Bellows Artist: The Chameleons UK Release Date: 1988 Label: Caroline Distribution, Dead Dead Good Records Album Type(s): Greatest Hits UPCs: 5018766954289, 017046133210, 017046133227, 017046133241, 766487650724 Genre: Rock Styles: Post-Punk, Alternative/Indie Rock Moods: Brooding, Cathartic, Melancholy, Bittersweet, Eerie, Literate, Passionate, Searching, Angst-Ridden, Detached, Hypnotic, Intense, Tense/Anxious, Theatrical, Urgent, Wintry, Acerbic, Calm/Peaceful, Confident, Elegant, Ethereal, Rollicking, Trippy, Wistful, Amiable/Good-Natured, Bitter, Dramatic, Earnest, Insular, Ominous, Reflective, Rousing Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 5 Number of Discs/SwapaCD Credits: 1

1. The Fan and the Bellows
2. Nostalgia
3. Less Than Human
4. In Shreds
5. Prisoners of the Sun
6. Nostalgia [7" Version]
7. Turn to the Vices
8. Love Is
9. Everyday I'm Crucified
10. Endlessly Falling
11. Nathan's Phase

Year Type Label Catalog # 1996 CD Dead Dead Good Records 6954 1990 CD Caroline Distribution CAROL-1332-2

No other editions were found for this album.

Mark Burgess has gone on record describing this collection's subtitle, "A Collection of Classic Early Recordings," as more than slightly misleading; understandable, since it first surfaced as an attempt to cash in on the Chameleons after their break-up by their first label. Even so, the various tracks here, including singles, demos and tracks otherwise nowhere else available, mostly from 1981 (half of which were produced by Steve Lillywhite with his trademark punch), offer a better view into the Chameleons' early days than might be guessed. The legendary debut single's tracks, "In Shreds" and "Nostalgia," the latter featured in two versions, already capture the mix of brawling post-punk drive and melancholic reflection that would only flower further on future releases. Similar combinations appears elsewhere on "Turn to the Vices" and "Everyday I'm Crucified" -- one of the few uses of the Jesus Christ pose lyrical gambit in rock that actually works! The title track itself is a stunner, one of Burgess' best shouts into the void meshing with the vicious power of Fielding and Smithies' guitars perfectly. Add to that such songs as an early version of "Less than Human" and the gentle, semi-ambient curiosity "Prisoners of the Sun," featuring the same obscure movie sample which leads off the later tune "Don't Fall," and while it's not as classic as the subtitle claims, there's more here than many other bands could ever offer. ~ Ned Raggett, All Music Guide

Name Credits Colin Richardson Producer Dave Fielding Guitar John Lever Drums, Percussion Mark Burgess Bass, Vocals Reg Smithies Cover Painting, Guitar Steve Lillywhite Producer