Kaleidoscope World [Expanded Edition]

by The Chills

Overview

Kaleidoscope World collects all of the Chills' early singles, starting with their contribution to 1982's Dunedin Double, Flying Nun's first release, through their 1986 single "I Love My Leather Jacket." It's clear right from the start that Martin Phillipps was a special songwriter and he was able to inspire whatever group of musicians he had backing him to great heights. Their very first song to see the light of day was the song that gives the collection its title, and it's an instantly hooky, restrained slice of underground pop that has a timeless feel. Phillipps was able to tap into this kind of warmly rollicking song almost every time he brought the group into the studio. The comp is full of songs that capture the restrained beauty and breathtaking emotion of that first attempt, seemingly in effortless fashion. "Pink Frost," "Rolling Moon," "This Is the Way," and "Purple Girl" all fit the bill; so does the slightly more rocking "Leather Jacket" and the morose but still pretty "Doledrums." Phillipps saved some of his weirder inclinations for B-sides, and it's fascinating to hear the straightforward pop songs balanced with these experiments and offbeat tunes. The disc provides a look at the formative work of one of Flying Nun's best bands, which is saying a lot, and also helps Chills fans who may not have been quick enough on the draw to get the original singles a chance to have all these great songs in one easy-to-digest package. [An exact replica of the 2016 reissue, the 2023 version adds a handful of bonus tracks, including an early version of their classic song "Oncoming Day," one Phillipps cared enough about to try recording on five different occasions. It also adds an unplugged take on another classic, "Dan Destiny and the Silver Dawn," the short piano instrumental "Martyns Doctor Told Me," the rare rocker "I'll Only See You Alone Again," and two live songs.] ~ Tim Sendra

Product Details

Release Date:	10/27/2023
Label:	Fire Records
UPC:	0809236000279
Rank:	83725

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Chills   Primary Artist
Alan Haig   Vocals (Background),Drums,Clarinet,Percussion
Martyn Bull   Drums,Percussion,Vocals (Background)
Peter Allison   Organ,Piano,Accordion,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Frazer Batts   Guitar,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Terry Moore   Bass,Percussion,Slide Bass,Slide Guitar,Fretless Bass,Guitar (12 String),Vocals (Background)
David Kilgour   Guitar,Vocals
Martin Phillipps   Guitar,Vocals
Justin Harwood   Bass
Martin Kean   Bass,Organ,Guitar,Vocals,Percussion,Vocals (Background)
Jane Dodd   Bass
Rachel Phillipps   Keyboards

Technical Credits

Doug Hood   Mixing,Engineer
Martyn Bull   Composer
Danny Hyde   Engineer
Bill Latimer   Engineer
Roland Killeen   Engineer
Terry King   Mixing
Terry Moore   Mixing,Composer,Engineer,Overdubs,Producer,Remixing
The Chills   Mixing
Chris Knox   Mixing,Engineer
Martin Phillipps   Mixing,Composer,Producer
Phil Yule   Mixing