Complete List Of The Chameleons Albums And Songs

Feature Photo: PALIO10, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

The Chameleons, also known as The Chameleons UK in the United States, is a post-punk band formed in Middleton, Greater Manchester in 1981. The band’s classic lineup consists of Mark Burgess (vocals, bass), Reg Smithies (guitar), Dave Fielding (guitar), and John Lever (drums), although Lever was replaced by Brian Schofield for their debut album. They are known for their atmospheric, guitar-driven sound, which was a significant part of the British post-punk scene of the early 1980s.

The Chameleons released three influential studio albums during their initial run: Script of the Bridge (1983), What Does Anything Mean? Basically (1985), and Strange Times (1986). Despite critical acclaim, they never achieved significant commercial success, with their albums receiving modest chart positions but failing to break into major mainstream markets. However, their music has been highly influential, particularly in the development of the shoegaze and Britpop movements that followed in the 1990s. The band split in 1987 but reformed in 2000, releasing their comeback album, Why Call It Anything, in 2001. Since their reformation, they have also released several live albums and compilations, enhancing their discography and solidifying their legacy in the post-punk genre.

Script of the Bridge

Released: August 1983

Script of the Bridge is the debut studio album by English post-punk band The Chameleons, released in 1983 on Statik Records. The album was recorded at Cargo Studios and Strawberry Studios in Rochdale, England, between December 1982 and February 1983, and was produced by The Chameleons and Colin Richardson. Known for its atmospheric soundscapes and intricate guitar work, the album encapsulates the essence of early 80s post-punk with lyrical depth and emotional intensity. While it did not achieve significant commercial success initially, it has since been recognized as a seminal record in the post-punk genre.

CD Track Listings:

“Don’t Fall” – 4:05
“Here Today” – 3:56
“Monkeyland” – 5:22
“Second Skin” – 6:50
“Up the Down Escalator” – 3:57
“Less Than Human” – 4:13
“Pleasure and Pain” – 5:10
“Thursday’s Child” – 3:33
“As High as You Can Go” – 3:35
“A Person Isn’t Safe Anywhere These Days” – 5:43
“Paper Tigers” – 4:15
“View from a Hill” – 6:39

What Does Anything Mean? Basically

Released: May 1985

What Does Anything Mean? Basically is the second studio album by The Chameleons, released in 1985 by Statik Records. Recorded at Highland Studios and produced by Tony Fletcher, this album continues the band’s exploration of atmospheric post-punk, marked by more sophisticated songwriting and a clearer production compared to their debut. The album’s sound features a complex, layered synthesis of guitars and vocals, creating a rich, immersive listening experience. Despite its artistic strengths, the album did not chart but has grown in critical esteem over the years.

CD Track Listings:

“Silence, Sea and Sky” – 1:58
“Perfume Garden” – 4:14
“Intrigue in Tangiers” – 5:26
“Return of the Roughnecks” – 3:31
“Singing Rule Britannia (While the Walls Close In)” – 4:14
“On the Beach” – 4:42
“Looking Inwardly” – 4:28
“One Flesh” – 4:27
“Home Is Where the Heart Is” – 5:07
“P.S. Goodbye” – 4:04

Strange Times

Released: August 1986

Strange Times is The Chameleons’ third studio album, released in 1986 on Geffen Records. Produced by Dave Allen, this album was recorded at Jacob’s Studio in Farnham, England. It is often regarded as the band’s most ambitious and emotionally charged release, featuring a broader palette of sounds and a greater emphasis on introspection. The album includes the singles “Tears” and “Swamp Thing,” which are among the band’s most beloved tracks. Strange Times received critical acclaim and achieved moderate commercial success, charting in the UK.

CD Track Listings:

“Mad Jack” – 3:54
“Caution” – 7:43
“Tears” – 5:05
“Soul in Isolation” – 7:27
“Swamp Thing” – 5:56
“Time/The End of Time” – 5:41
“Serriades” – 4:03
“In Answer” – 4:54
“Childhood” – 4:40
“I’ll Remember” – 3:36

The Fan and the Bellows: 1981-83 Early Recordings

Released: November 1986

The Fan and the Bellows: 1981-83 Early Recordings is a compilation album by The Chameleons, released in 1986 by Hybrid Records. This album collects the band’s early singles and B-sides recorded before their debut album. It provides a glimpse into the formative years of their career, showcasing their development from raw post-punk beginnings to a more refined sound. The album did not chart but is valued by fans for its historical insight into the band’s evolution.

CD Track Listings:

“The Fan and the Bellows” – 3:28
“Nostalgia” – 5:25
“Dali’s Picture” – 4:12
“Everyday I’m Crucified” – 3:37
“Endlessly Falling” – 4:20
“Nathan’s Phase” – 3:36

Why Call It Anything

Released: June 2001

Why Call It Anything is The Chameleons’ comeback studio album, released in 2001 by Artful Records. Recorded at Suite 16 in Rochdale, England, and produced by the band and Dave Allen, this album marks their return after a fifteen-year hiatus. The album revisits their classic sound with modern production, offering new material that resonates with the depth and quality of their earlier work. Though it did not achieve significant commercial success, it was well-received by fans and critics who appreciated the band’s return to form.

CD Track Listings:

“Shades” – 5:00
“Anyone Alive?” – 5:03
“Indiana” – 4:44
“Lufthansa” – 6:52
“Truth Isn’t Truth Anymore” – 5:19
“All Around” – 4:51
“Dangerous Land” – 5:02
“Music in the Womb” – 6:12
“Miracles and Wonders” – 5:54
“Are You Still There?” – 5:03

Arctic Moon

Released: April 2024

Arctic Moon is the latest studio album by The Chameleons, released in 2024. This album continues to explore the depths of atmospheric post-punk, integrating modern elements and sounds. Recorded at Real World Studios in Bath, England, and produced by the band, this release shows that The Chameleons remain relevant and inventive in the evolving music landscape