The Chameleons - Strange Times

The Chameleons’ 1986 album Strange Times returns in a newly remastered edition, presented as a triple turquoise vinyl set housed in a triple gatefold sleeve featuring new artwork by guitarist Reg Smithies. Long regarded as one of the most influential records to come out of Manchester, Strange Times captures the band at the height of their powers, delivering songs that would go on to define their legacy. Tracks like Swamp Thing, Soul in Isolation, Caution, and Tears remain touchstones of atmospheric post-punk, their emotional pull as vivid now as when they were first released.

This new edition has been remastered by Guy Massey, who also worked on the restoration of Script of the Bridge, and was cut at Abbey Road by Frank Arkwright to ensure the best possible sound. Earlier vinyl editions were constrained by the album’s long running time, but this release spreads the main record across four sides at 45 RPM to preserve clarity and power, with bonus material included on a separate disc. Strange Times stands as one of the great achievements of its era, a record that continues to inspire and resonate decades after its debut.