The Chameleons, Strange Times – September 1, 1986

Released forty years ago today by Geffen Records, the post-punk masterpiece is one the world has been catching up to ever since.

Produced by David M. Allen and engineered by Mark Saunders, the album is a gorgeous wall of sound filled with emotional peaks and valleys. Themes of isolation and societal deterioration are shockingly relevant today, as if The Chameleons knew all along that the only way to get through these strange times is to make as much noise as possible whether anyone hears it or not.

P.S. Another splendid picture from Reg.
P.P.S. This record was made to be played loud.
– Mark Burgess, 1986 sleeve notes

Read my full story about the album published on Substack today: https://www.collectedmusic.com/p/happy-birthday-strange-times

The lyrics are an adaptation of German Dadaist Hugo Ball's 1916 "verses without words" poem, "Gadji beri bimba."

From the Optimo EP.

From the 3rd Album, Manual of Errors. (1982) Snakefinger, a frequent, unmasked member of the Residents. Cover art by Mark Beyers of Raw Comix fame.

Excellent track from their Black Sea album.

From the first Golden Palominos album, which was more Downtown/No Wave/avant-funk adjacent than subsequent stuff.

One of the more underappreciated post-punk bands, imo.

Live performance of the album opener from their 1979 debut album, Head Injuries.

If anyone ever asks you to define postpunk or provide a perfect example of the genre, you need go no further than this track.

this band is very underrated—— (this is unrelated to the song but since it’s sentimental to my past) vinny if you’re still out there, your homie bryan misses filming you skateboard all day, and hopes you’re doing good out there mate 🙏

(2021)

Quintessential U2. This EP is one of their very best releases.

More of the same? I was really hoping they went back to their Post Punk roots.

From the "Daydream Nation" album, this is my favorite track of the band.
Enjoy!

Like something ideal to listen to in your room while it's dark and cold outside and you're just chilling. Joy Division buried under blankets.

From Special Beat Service.

From his solo debut

Viktor Tsoi was one of the darkest musicians of the Soviet Union. He died on August 15, 1990 in a car accident.