What makes What Does Anything Mean? Basically by The Chameleons notable?

The album is notable for its intricate instrumental arrangements and lyrical complexity, which have influenced later artists within the post-punk and alternative scenes. It received positive reviews upon release but did not achieve significant commercial success, limiting its immediate impact on the charts. What Does Anything Mean? Basically is The Chameleons' second studio album, released following their debut, Script of the Bridge. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their distinctive post-punk sound while facing challenges in gaining wider recognition despite their critical acclaim.

How many songs are on What Does Anything Mean? Basically?

What Does Anything Mean? Basically has 12 tracks, running approximately 51 minutes.

What Does Anything Mean? Basically

The Chameleons · 1985

51 min · 12 tracks · post-punk

Ethereal melodies intertwine with atmospheric guitar textures, crafting a sonic landscape rich in introspective depth and haunting emotion.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Perfume Garden — This track encapsulates the band's signature blend of melodic hooks and layered guitars, creating a lush soundscape that evokes an ethereal quality essential to the album's identity.
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Singing Rule Britannia (While the Walls Close In) — A politically charged anthem that critiques nationalism, this song stands out for its poignant lyrics and driving rhythm that showcases the band's ability to merge social commentary with compelling music.
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In Shreds — As one of the album's closing tracks, it combines emotional vulnerability with soaring instrumentation, leaving listeners with a lingering sense of melancholy that defines much of The Chameleons' work.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

66 /100

Alpine

Higher than 89% of albums we've rated

The album features intricate arrangements and introspective lyrics, establishing a strong post-punk identity.

What we noticed

The album opens with a slow, atmospheric track that gradually builds layers of guitar and synth, setting a contemplative tone.
The lyrical themes often explore introspection and existential questions, with lines that are delivered in a conversational style rather than traditional verse-chorus structures.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Singing Rule Britannia (While the Walls Close In)

The shift from collective patriotic sentiment to individual disillusionment creates a stark contrast within the lyrics.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Silence, Sea and Sky 1:59
2 Perfume Garden 4:36
3 Intrigue in Tangiers 5:17
4 Return of the Roughnecks 3:26
5 Singing Rule Britannia (While the Walls Close In) 4:17
6 On the Beach 4:10
7 Looking Inwardly 4:29
8 One Flesh 4:28
9 Home Is Where the Heart Is 4:53
10 P.S. Goodbye 4:02
11 In Shreds 4:10
12 Nostalgia 5:23

What to play next

Listen next

Strange Times

1986

Go back to

Script of the Bridge

1983

Full The Chameleons discography Artists like The Chameleons

post-punk

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata