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Rating: Too many people tend to consider it the "Load" of the four pumpkins, just because there's very little pounding bass drum, just because Kiske, for once, doesn't sing in a falsetto but instead uses more vocal ranges, just because there's indeed little metal. However, the 12 tracks of this album are certainly the best since the "Keeper Of" pair. But let's proceed in order: the four from Hamburg lost Kai Hansen in 1990, right at the band's peak. The loss of the sprite caused internal problems, and indeed the next album "Pink Bubbles Go Ape" turned out to be a half flop. It took time to get their thoughts in order. Probably knowing they couldn't do better than the two "Keepers" (now even more so after Hansen's departure), the group unanimously decided to radically change musical direction. "Chameleon" was released in 1993 and represents the breaking point in the band's history. It's not an ugly album, but a different one. It's not just metal, but hard rock, with strong pop, country, and jazz influences. A sonic collage that might make purists cringe, but it works.
Already listening to "When The Sinner," you can hear the changes (the song comes after the opener "First Time," which is a typically metal track): you hear the keyboards emulating wind instruments, Kiske's voice travels in different ranges, and Michael Weikath's solos fit well (he is particularly inspired on this album, never dull). There's room for acoustic ballads, like the beautiful "I Don't Wanna Cry No More." The pumpkins dare a lot, without ever losing their "happy" vein. In "Crazy Cat," they even touch swing. Even in this track, Kiske remains full of charisma and personality, while in "Giants," they return to heavier sounds. It's noteworthy how, up to this point, the four have produced impactful songs without the use of very fast tempos. "Windmill" is a sweet ballad, with beautiful instrumental interludes (perhaps in terms of production and instrumentation, the album is the best in their discography). Back in Hard Rock territory with "Revolution Now," a track somewhat underwhelming compared to the rest, but still appreciable. It's the following "In The Night" that completely turns everything upside down, with its country rhythm. Then comes THE song. Probably the best track on the record, but perhaps it's too subjective an opinion. It's the monumental "Music," with a captivating rhythm and one of the most catchy choruses. Once again (and heavily) in pop territory with "Step Out Of Hell." But it takes a backseat when the two concluding tracks arrive, both written by Kiske: "I Believe" and "Longing." The first proceeds slowly throughout its long duration; perhaps it's the last remnant of the proverbial suite that instead dominated previous albums. The second is offered only with guitar and voice. Kiske is melancholic, everything enriched by a non-trivial background orchestration.
The album comes to an end, and with it also the first part of the German band's history. The metal audience didn't approve of the change in direction. So the four were dropped by EMI, and the disagreements between Kiske and Weikath culminated in the latter's departure. Andi Deris will take his place and for the pumpkins a new and certainly more prolific period will begin, though anchored in strictly metal territories, albeit always looking further ahead than others.
Tracklist Lyrics and Samples
02 When the Sinner (06:54)
Now it's time - to shake it all up to be free
Now it's time - to make us some room to let us be
Oh, it feels so bad
Yes it feels so bad
When everything good looks so bad
When everything right goes so wrong
I am up - to break it all down what's in my way
I won't stop - until I am where I'm going to stay
No one holds me back
No, no one holds me back
Don't wanna be what I'm not
But it's gotta be myself who breaks my neck
I look here and you look there, I know it's got to be somewhere
We look around and search around and walk around and hear around
We keep on looking 'til we know what for
If you don't know it, I don't know it, we don't know it, who will know it?
All of us don't know what we should know - maybe one day we'll know
But anyway we've got to make a stop
Over my head - look over my head you won't see no halo
It's driving me mad - I must hold it back inside
When the sinner searches sin, it's all of us
When we finally search inside, it's under us
We keep on looking anyway
If we don't find it who must pay?
All I've ever done I've done to you!
In my mind - the battle goes on 'til I give up
Will we find - the key of life we once have dropped?
Do you really care?
Tell me you really care!
You may find Mr. Blame
But the guilt of life burns everywhere
Give me light to see my inside, give me light to see my sin
I'd never do what I regret, I've never done anything bad
You must be joking when you point at me!
Hey! Don't you blame me! Don't you touch me!
Won't you ever leave me be?
I wanna live! Don't wanna think! Why should I give what I can drink?
Man! Life is short so I take what I need!
Over your head - look over my head you won't see no halo
It's driving me mad - I must hold it back inside
When the sinner searches sin, it's all of us
When we finally search inside, it's under us
We keep on looking anyway
If we don't find it who must pay?
All I've ever done I've done to you!
Pain!
I feel inside it's such a
Shame!
No one fights fair, but who' to
Blame!
Might be the game of life but it aint' over
Now!
I walk my way firm any
How!
My conscience speaks and there are
Doubts!
But nothing's sure in lifeand it ain't over
Now!
I look here and you look there, I know it's got to be somewhere
We look around and search around and walk around and hear around
We keep on looking 'til we know what for
Over my head - look over my head you won't see no halo
It's driving me mad - I must hold it back inside
When the sinner searches sin, it's all of us
When we finally search inside, it's under us
We keep on looking anyway
If we don't find it who must pay?
All I've ever done I've done to you!
05 Giants (06:32)
Strong and invincible
They know every rule
Seems inconcievable
Anything they do
They made us their slaves
We weren't unified
Ever since we paid
For selling our lives
Someday, someway, I may see a wonderland
Don't you, won't you say that we'll be free again?
Deprived of our consciousness
We can't predict what's more
Can you remember how
Things used to be before?
I secretly dream
Of things we will be taught
Will someone esteem
For those who have fought?
Strong and invincible
They know every rule
Seems inconcievable
Anything they do
Deep in our hearts
We hope our dreams come true
The only thing is
What are we to do?
Won't you say it...
Can't you feel it...?
06 Windmill (05:14)
Time goes wherever you are,
time is your guiding star
That shines on through your life,
makes you feel and move
My dreams are out in the far,
so are yours apart
Of secret fairy tales,
dripped on the wings of the
mystery mill
Windmill, windmill, keep on turning;
show me the way, take me today
Windmill, windmill, hearts are yearning,
longing for love and a chance to be free
Don't feel alone and depressed,
someone will come at last
To soothe your stumbling mind,
to keep it away from the evil storm
Windmill, windmill, keep on turning;
show me the way, take me today
Windmill, windmill, hearts are yearning,
longing for love and a chance to be free
Time goes wherever you are
07 Revolution Now (08:04)
Well, I think it's really time again for a revolution
Not to destroy at all costs but have a look at what's there
Can you remember a time when water was still water
Or are you too young to even know what we won't give to our heirs
Inhale the bless of science through your lungs, skin and brain!
I'll surely make our children feel a lot more sane!
Revolution now!
I was born when April guaranteed a sexual renaissance
And today we're all faced with death, rubbers, and AIDS
In '68 some people went out to fight for freedom
They would never ever have thought that their children wear ties
And if you come to San Francisco
You're gonna meet some broken people there
Revolution now!
09 Music (07:01)
When I was a young boy
I had no aim
Neither experience
It wasn't a shame
Most of the time
It satisfied me
But one day I realised
Music is like a rising sun
Time are changing now
And memory fades
I gaze at the photos
A look in the haze
You cannot imagine
How many friends I've lost
It's much too late
For calling them back
Music is like a sunrise for me
It's joyful like a trip in a time machine
Music is like a sunrise for me
It's like coming home
I was always insecure
Sometimes I still am
But I made up my mind now
And look here I stand
I ask myself sometimes:
Is it all worth it?
To fly over mountains
Makes you fall down again
But music is like a sunrise for me
It's joyful like a trip in a time machine
Music is like a sunrise for me
It's like coming home
10 Step Out of Hell (04:21)
(M&L - Weikath)
Time has come
Start your search for tomorrow
No escape
From that long trail of sorrow
You don't know how it keeps goin' on, oh no
Wake up out of misty dreams
Evil drug is starting to grab you, to grab you
Step out of hell! -
Demons dancing 'round your brain
Step out of hell! -
Streams of madness flow through your veins
Step out of hell! -
Go on like this you're gonna be dead
Step out of hell! -
Take my hand I wanna help (but can I?)
You did your best to keep yourself down
Give it a rest and just turn around
It's only a one-way street of lies, yes it is!
Living in a twilight zone
Get away out of that drug jungle,
that drug jungle
Step out of hell! -
Demons dancing 'round your brain
Step out of hell! -
Streams of madness flow through your veins
Step out of hell! -
Go on like this you're gonna be dead
Step out of hell! -
Take my hand I wanna help ypu
Another line, have a good time you don't mind
To turn your brain inside out to serve the final rite
Step out of hell! -
Demons dancing 'round your brain
Step out of hell! -
Streams of madness flow through your veins
Step out of hell! -
Go on like this you're gonna be dead
Step out of hell! -
Take my hand I wanna help you
11 I Believe (09:11)
Give me two strong arms to fight my enemies
Give me two strong eyes to see the truth
Give me two strong legs I think I have to run
And fill my heart will faith that I won't lose
I don't wanna lose
Give me one real love that I don't freeze out there
Make me feel your presence in the night
Give me one strong heart that tells me when I lie
And take my soul so I won't have to hide
I don't wanna hide
it's so cold deep down here
I know we had to fall
Souls are dying everywhere
But whatever I do I believe
(Solo)
There'll be no reason to live
Without you giving me light
There is so much that you give
Your love is shining so bright
I believe...
I wanna love but I always hate
I wanna give but I always take
Want you to laugh but I make you cry
No I won't change until I die
It's so much easier said than done
I know I can't just always run
Got so much anger inside of me
I understand but I think I see what I'm not
I know it's true what J.C. said
I got it all clear in my head
Seems we were born to be unfair
I am a sinner that's starting to dare to believe
Give me your hand until the end
And I will walk into the promised land
I don't deserve anything you do
But I can't stop loving you
No more lies, no false religions
No more whys and wrong God missions
No shiny TV priests begging for cash
No more wars that no God's never asked for
There's a way back out of here
One day we're going home
Tell everyone who wants to hear
Whatever you do:
Do believe, I believe, we believe, believe oh!
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