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. [The 2016 reissue of the album 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
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