Another Day, Another Delightful Rip

Bill Nelson - Chimera

To a point no other artist has been as prolific as Bill Nelson, yet his commercial success has been very limited. From his first solo album in 1971, through six years of the fantastic Be-Bop Deluxe to the poetic meanderings of his solo revival on his own Cocteau label. He is the godfather of art-rock, always keeping ahead of the crowd by dabbling in the obscure mix of progressive rock and punk rock with Be-Bop Deluxe and then new wave band Red Noise.

Chimera is his synth-pop album, but with rather less emphasis on the pop when compared to luminaries such as Paul Haig and Thomas Dolby. Art-rock influences remain strong throughout with contributions and synths from members of YMO. The late ex-Japan bass genius Mick Karn adds his un-fretted melodies to one track, the complex Glow World. For catchy synth-pop, Nelson gets it spot on with the single Acceleration and a perfect chorus hook which just sticks in your head. Then there is the majestic Another Day, Another Ray Of Hope which closes the album. New Order-style emulators pump out Temptation-style rhythms drenched in washes of synth string melodies and bowed guitar, then Bill's lyrics really make you sit up and listen. I was just seventeen when I first heard this album, but I probably wasn't old enough to truly appreciate it. This is synth-pop for grown ups.

Ripped from a vinyl album released on Mercury Records (MER B19) in 1983 to high resolution 24-bit FLAC audio.

A1. The Real Adventure

A2. Acceleration

A3. Every Day Feels Like Another New Drug

B1. Tender Is The Night

B2. Glow World

B3. Another Day, Another Ray Of Hope