THE CHAMELEONS Vinilo y CD

Review: 'Strange Times' is a decidedly surreal post-punk album from The Chameleons, released in 1986 only a few years after the band's formation and explosion onto the Manchester scene and beyond. Released on 12" only at first, that made its first edition a collectors' rarity. Combined with its relentless Britishness, advanced jangle guitar progressions, and odd folk time signatures, genuine copies of the album became immense stores of social credit for young, intellectual record hoarders. 'Tears' is the obvious standout, a dark and haunting tale of psychosis and failure to adapt to the encroaching tide of civilization, but there's also the militant and tribal tones of beauties like 'Swamp Thing' to keep you going too.