Colour By Numbers

I haven't been able to kick Karma Chameleon out of my head since listening to this album. THAT is a weird music video but we are rating those :). Glad I have now been exposed to this entire record haha.

I had an aunt who was absolutely obsessed with Culture Club in the 80s, so had a lot of exposure to them in my youth (hearing this particular album quite a few times). While that had left me with a fairly positive impression, they aren't a band that I had revisited outside of the hits, so this was a welcome revisit and critique. Does it hold up? No, not really, but it does have a sound that transports you to a time, and it's upbeat and happy enough to forgive for its absolute lack of substance and originality. However, it's already been mined for it's track worth revisiting, so I don't see myself coming back to it for at least another 20+ years, making it an overall 2.5/5 that I'll round up for pure nostalgia purposes.

This album was light and bouncy in small measures. It sounds, to my ears, so early '80s. I remember the music video for "Karma Chameleon" with the riverboat and the harmonica. Such a good song. The remainder of the album mostly kept up that light and bouncy energy but was so many empty calories of music. I think a friend in our group described it as such. The music really lean on the charisma of front man, Boy George. The album isn't great, however, this band knows what their strengths are and play right to them. Its pop music to cure bad moods, if that's your thing. 3/5

Absolutely terrible

Boring when it came out and is still boring.

(2/5) Kama-, kama-, kama-, kama-, kama-one hit wonder.. I don't care if it doesn't fit the phrasing. A pretty piss poor entry and only notable because of the big hit. That song is mostly good (with a hazy nostalgia fog around it), but that's really it. The rest is boring and manufactured. Two points for the hit single and the progressive gender bending.

Is this a must listen to album? One well known, not necessarily good, single, followed by a multitude of meh 80s songs? Not for me today.

Another absolutely terrible album cover, holy shit. So "Colour by number" is the 1982 sophomore album by the band "Culture club" and it fucking sucks. Its just another dated british new wave album. Youve probably heard multiple dozens of these before if you are attempting this challenge because this book is plagued by these fucking british new wave album. If im really harsh on this its because im tired of having to listen to another awfull new wave album. Its not a 1 because I feel like my 1/5 are way worse than this but its really close. Spare your ears people, skip it.

Maybe part of it is that I have zero nostalgia for this, but this isn't good. Mushy, dated as hell, and generally just not great 80's ballad/dance pop stuff. But I think part of it is it's just not good either. 80's music that your grandma at the time would have zero objection to (Although I guess props for the gender nonconformity, grandma would definitely not like that), and not even a cool grandma. I'm sure they were considered cool at the time, but this is aggressively uncool music in this day and age. I would give this a one if it weren't for Miss Me Blind, which I do have to admit is a pretty good track. But that's all it really has. Even Karma Chameleon isn't very good. What a waste of a fantastic song name.

There are some nice instrument aspects. But my tolerance for kitsch goes to some extent

No private session used for Spotify. It was somewhat fun listening to the songs that were forced upon us in the eighties, but there is a reason I haven't gone back to Culture Club.

Aivan ripulia. 1/5

I generally love 80s music but doing this project I by and large find the albums from this decade are mostly the hit singles with lots of fillers. This was more positive than not, even the songs I thought were nothing special were quite nice, though they are always going to be compared to the big hit here, Karma Chameleon. The album cover art is great though, it makes me want to run out wearing a yellow jumper, red trousers, a yellow scarf and a bright blue hat and why not..

Isn't new wave supposed to be fun? Because I was kind of bored listening to this. This gets a 2 from me

GET OUT OF MY HEAD GET OUT OF MY HEAD GET OUT OF MY HEAD

Definitely bopped to it. Quintessential 80s dance pop sound.

The wrong '80s George

p515. 1983. 3 stars. Early 80s Brit synthetic soul. There are some decent songs, but it hasn't dated well - the saxophone and synths are a real giveaway - and there is a LOT of filler.

Ja hoor, we hebben er weer 1! Een album met 1 nummer, dat zo ontzettend bekend is dat je je meteen afvraagt: Goed nummer of goed album? Tuurlijk; Karma Chameleon is een topplaat, funky, dansbaar en dat refrein. Instant oorwurm. God, ze pakken wel meteen de sax er bij. Ik denk zomaar dat dit een lekker lichtvoetig album gaat zijn. Niemand die Culture Club een baanbrekende band gaat noemen( Of nou ja, bijna niemand. Iemand heeft ze op de 1001 albums die je MOET horen voor je dood gaat gezet...) Het is echt een prima new wave/pop album, ik vind het niet super bijzonder verder maar zou niet snel boos worden als iemand dit aan zet op een feestje of tijdens een dinertje ofzo. Wel verrast, want "Dit zijn toch die gasten van Karma Chameleon? Wil je daar een heel album van??" zou wel even door mn hoofd schieten. Maar ach, er is heel veel slechtere muziek dan dit op de wereld. Denk dat Boy George té flamboyant was voor de toch vrij 13 in een dozijn muziek die hij maakte. Noem het de Harry Styles/KISS vloek, waar het imago en de frontman interessanter zijn dan de daadwerkelijke muziek. FAVO: Karma Chameleon

I can't remember if I owned this cassette in the 1980s, or if I just stole it from my sister a lot. Either way, I grew up on this album. Before I ever knew what "gay" was, I was so sure that Boy George was going to be my husband some day. (For the record, I am a cis-het woman who was 5 years old when this came out.) It doesn't matter. It's dated as hell and I wouldn't change a note.

Pffff

Shoutout Boy George en shoutout Karma Chameleon, alleen daarvoor ga ik voor drie sterren. Een paar nummers op de tweede helft van deze plaat zijn wel echt schijt zeg (Mister Man, ik heb het over jou).

3.5

I weirdly liked this one a lot!

fine

🦎🦎🦎

so THIS is why CMAT referened them.......

mans really into singing about him being a man lmfao. only knew ‘karma chameleon’ prior of course. singstar 80s as fuck

One decent hit doesnt save this from a 1/5 for me

. Much better than expected

They could’ve stopped with karma chameleon and I would’ve been happy

Kudos to George for his pioneer courage. This is standard blue-eyed soul pop that runs out of gas after the second single on side 2.

Wow - leading off with Karma Chameleom dropped 43 years off my life! Forgot this album... seminal in '83, but looses its luster now. Nostalgic fun. Realized I like "Church of the Poison Mind" the best. +1 for old time's sake

I was first introduced to this album by a good friend of mine, a fellow fan of extreme music, from metalcore to death metal to all kinds of other noisy stuff. “Culture Club?!” I asked. “It’s Boy George’s band!” he answered. I already knew who Boy George was, but that didn’t make the recommendation any less surprising. Still, it was enough to make me give it a go. I mean, who hasn’t heard “Karma Chameleon”? It sounds cheesy and safe, but the themes are anything but. It’s a song about sticking to your convictions, staying true to who you are and what you stand for. Boy George was such an outsider for his time, and yet he was part of the change that was coming, toward a more open and inclusive society. Even the band’s name reflected that, with a queer frontman (also known for gender-bending), a Black bassist (Mikey Craig), a Jewish drummer (Jon Moss, who was also in a romantic relationship with Boy George at the time) and guitarist Roy Hay (who used to be a hairdresser) rounding out the lineup. I love it all the more for that. The rest of the album is, I think, woefully underrated in the shadow of that hit. “Black Money” is a great funky piece of sorts, “Changing Every Day” is a groovy, jazzy ditty, and “That’s the Way (I’m Only Trying to Help You)” is a genuinely great power ballad that evokes some of Elton John’s best moments. Helen Terry’s powerhouse backing vocals deserve a shout-out too, giving the album much of its soulful punch. Side two is even better. Upbeat numbers like “Church of the Poison Mind” and “Miss Me Blind” remind me of the best of Prince and George Michael, before it all closes on the big, dramatic ballad “Victims”. The production is a bit soft, though. I wish it were a little thicker. I can also hear the glam elements here, since Boy George was heavily influenced by Marc Bolan. I’d have preferred more crunchy, distorted guitars (like on T. Rex’s best stuff), but this feels more modern: looking inward, yet very, very forward. It still holds up well today, a true pop album for anyone who’s ever felt different and misunderstood. It sounds a bit dated in places, but that’s to be expected. A great ’80s pop album, and an easy 4 stars.

worth listening to: karma chameleon, miss me blind, mister man and toss the rest

Worse than Coldplay

Good album

Classic stuff

Very nice

2.5.

Had to skip the first track for obvious reasons (chiefly the way it always becomes the most obnoxious earworm imaginable - ahead of My Sweet Lord, even). And then it's a sort of Eurovision happy-out inoffensive party album with some ballads strewn in. I'm not keen on the somewhat soulless production, this overly easy-going, Wham!-like positivity. Although that sort of positivity should be supported, of course. I just can't get behind this musical incarnation of it.

Catchy all timer of a lead single but there’s not a whole lot else here.

Perfectly acceptable 80s M/M party music.

Pop in langweilig.

At the end of the day, it’s Brit dance pop, albeit well done dance pop. I liked them better than most of their peers at the time, I think both due to Boy George’s supple tenor, as well as his outsized personality, which was quite novel for the time. The album puts its best foot forward, with the four singles arranged as the lead two tracks on each side. Things flag slightly toward the end of each side, although this remains an enjoyable listen.

‘Karma Chameleon’ was the hit here, the rest sounded like pretty standard 80s synthy pop. Maybe it was important at the time but fairly average to me, 3/5

Iconic harmonica-riff on the megahit "Karma Chameleon". "It's A Miracle" is o.k. too. An that's it for me.

Karma

DNF

No

Very 80s!

кажется я понял рецепт их песен кажется я понял рецепт их песен на самом деле очень просто и скучно на самом деле очень просто и скучно да, лампово и позитивно, попытки в смысл да, лампово и позитивно, попытки в смысл но не мое, вообще не зашло но не мое, вообще не зашло 2.1

Hooky, clubby new wave pop. Boy George is a 80’s icon, but the band mates deserve props for fashioning a pleasant gumbo of funk, dance, bubblegum pop, etc. 4.5 stars

It’s like eating too much cotton candy

There's some interesting elements to this album, but it's very 80s pop. One of the biggest standouts on the record is Jon Moss on drums as it honestly felt like he was punching way above his weight class among what's mostly generic pop music. Because of him and the cultural significance that Boy George represent, I'll give this a 3/5

Very good

This is a good pop album. I don't generally love pop music, but this is varied and interesting and has a lot of catchy songs.

Never rated Karma Chameleon. The rest of this is like Stevie Wonder. Not my thing.

Karma Chamelion does get the listener bait, hook, and sinker. Possibly the catchiest and most recognizable melody of all time. Doesn't make it good, but does do its job. The rest of the music is the kind of sounds that are still vibrating through the brokedown building of your towns old super mall.

231. Colour By Numbers - Culture Club (1983) 10.11.26 Variety: 1 Adequacy: 2 Listenability: 2 Uniqueness: 2 Emotionality: 2 = 1.8 rounded up to a 2 "I'm a man without conviction/ I'm a man who doesn't know/ How to sell a contradiction" Where I was a kid "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" and "Karma Chameleon" were constantly on the radio. I was somewhat familiar with Culture Club via MTV with the super cheesy video for the latter which remains a charmingly bizarre ( and still very cheesy) snapshot of the early 80s, but I don't recall seeing one for the former. I know there's some controversy over some imagery which may have hurt it's rotation? Not really sure. I usually listen to these things via Youtube, and I can see there are quite a few videos from this album, which usually indicates a lot of successful singles, and apparently the sales for it were pretty massive. Absolutely all if it passed me by though and I do not recall hearing anything else on here until just a few years back when two others popped up frequently enough on satellite radio for me to take notice. Very curious about this one, but have to say as catchy as those two giant hits were back in the day, neither managed to worm their way too far into my brain, though I do prefer "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me". And there's at least one song on his I think holds up a lot better, and push comes to shove I might like even more than the big hit. THE TRACKS Side one "Karma Chameleon" - That harmonica, as iconic as it is, is maybe my least favorite part of this song, but it does add casual fun atmosphere to the song, keeping it light and bouncy, and George's vocals are smooth and so well performed that the earwormy melody would be near impossible to imagine anyone else singing. I think in retrospect this is a much sadder song than the general public would have ever realized at the time, no matter what they thought of the man himself and his public persona. This has been, and will remain a mainstay of any 80s greatest hits compilation worthy of the name. "It's a Miracle" - This one is an example of some pretty tastefully sone R&B, and soul inflected New Wave for the time and is leaps and bounds above some of the stuff from bands that leaned way harder into the synths, but this does nothing for me. It's inoffensive, and pretty bland and the best thing about it is George's confident, smooth vocals. "Black Money" - Even George's fine performance here barely kept me from nodding off. It was repetitive and missing anything resembling a hook or memorable melody, and felt like wine bar music. "Changing Every Day" - George had some vocal filters or some fuzzy reverb going on here that even took away from his vocals, which so gar has been the main attraction. This kind of lounge jazz piece felt very sub-Joe Jackson and also bored the hell out of me. "That's the Way (I'm Only Trying to Help You)" - Man this is ROUGH. At least this one is a pretty straightforward soul track. George, a piano, and some backing vocals. The nicest thing I can say bout it though is that is maybe holds up WAY more than anything on here due to the sparseness of the instrumentation. It could have come out anytime between then and now. But do I ever want to hear it again? Side two "Church of the Poison Mind" - This is a VAST improvement. I've heard this one many times on the radio and every time I give it a full listen. This is 80s new wave soul done right. It's got a driving beat, the ( always great) vocals, a hummable melody, basic instrumentation that hearkens back to a 60s sound, and energetic and well done backing vocals from Helen Terry. I know "Karma Chameleon" is the undisputed classic off this, but it feel slight where this feels muscular, and the harmonica is deployed here in a far superior way. Top notch, classy stuff. "Miss Me Blind" - This is the other track I occasionally here on satellite radio, and it's pretty damned solid, and is full of melodic hooks. It's George's most emotional performance so far, and it's pretty danceable as well. It's just funky enough, and in an alternate world I can imagine this would have been quite the head nodder had I ever heard it when I was younger. "Mister Man" - More good stuff from George can't save another boring stinker. There was some somewhat interesting stuff with the synths on this, and maybe some very slight reggae influence on it. But wow was I ever tempted to hit skip. "Stormkeeper" - A song so gray and featureless it was over before I even realized it had been playing for a few minutes. I actually had to go back an play it again to make sure I hadn't skipped it. "Victims" - Another piano ballad that I can imagine going over just as well at any point in George's career due to the lack of distracting synths. As well played and performed as it was, there was barely a memorable melody to be seen. Points for the very stylish music video though. For the first half this was not completely terrible, it just lacked something to put it over the top. It really goes downhill in the middle though when it gets BIG and more instruments are layered in, and we very nearly crashed upon the shores where Bonnie Tyler and Meatloaf have set up shop. George reins it back in and keeps it classy though, if a more than a little too schmaltzy for my tastes. HIGHLIGHTS - "Karma Chameleon" - "Church of the Poison Mind" - "Miss Me Blind" MIDLIGHTS - "It's a Miracle" LOWLIGHTS - "Black Money" - "Changing Every Day" - "That's the Way (I'm Only Trying to Help You)" - "Mister Man" - "Stormkeeper" - "Victims" FINAL THOUGHTS The one thing that I can say for certain about this album is that boy George's voice is so much the best thing about any of it that, it would easily lose a full star or more with a lesser talent. He manages to take some of the blandest 80s, yuppie lounge soul music and lift it up. He absolutely carries the thing. There are some bright spots ( noted in the highlights) where some fine melodies poke their way through the fog of lowest denominator, placeholder arrangements and merely competent playing, bit for the most part I felt as tired and exhausted by this as anything we've had on the list. It never made me angry, and I didn't think it was unprofessional or necessarily awful. It just felt like a one-man show, and even with that great voice there's only so much you shine you can put on a turd. I'm afraid that Boy George and Culture Club are barely eligible for greatest hits material. I'm somewhat curious now how that first album holds up against this one, which by all accounts is considered far and above their best work. That's too bad as Boy George maybe deserves better given his outsize talent. I just feel almost completely unmoved by any of this, and aside form those highlights I don't think I will remember a lick of this. I remember Boy George as a bright, colorful personality who gave off optimistic vibes, but for someone with such a visual flair, dude put out some very tedious, vanilla music. Possible turn-Offs might include: - bland arrangements - a lack of excitement, even on some of the better tracks - very if its time instrumentation and production that feels way less charming and nostalgic as some of the stuff from the same era that doubled down on the same things You Might enjoy this if you: - live smooth, well performed soul vocals - are fine with just a handful of good songs to keep the album afloat - want at least three tracks you can rip and save to a drive so you can sell the cd PLAYLIST ALTERATIONS - just the highlights please FURTHER LISTENING Precursors: - The Man Who Sold the World by David Bowie - Up-Tight by Steve Wonder - Himself by Gilbert O'Sullivan Contemporaries: - Burning Bridges by Naked Eyes - True by Spandau Ballet - You and Me Both by Yazoo - Night and Day by Joe Jackson - Diamond Life by Sade - The Age of Consent by Bronski Beat Descendants: - What Up, Dog? by Was (Not Was) - Turn Back the Clock by Johnny Hates Jazz - Provision by Scritti Politti - It's Better to Travel by Swing Out Sister - Jordan: The Comeback by Prefab Sprout - Running in the Family by Level 42

I don't know why this was on here. I know the first song and it doesn't do much for me, I didn't know the rest, but still want interested in it. It's not nails on chalkboard dislike, but I didn't need to listen to it now or ever again

This kinda epitomizes 3 stars for me: it’s fine. I neither particularly like it or hate it. It plays in the background and then it’s gone. 3 Boolean: this I can’t say. I’m going false

Never listened. Expectations: Low - Verdict: Alright - Karma Chameleon is iconic and extremely catchy but it being the only song I know from this album didn't give me high hopes for the rest. It's A Miracle continues in a similar mood and I quite enjoy it. I find Black Money interesting as well with the vocals being particularly prevalent. Changing Every Day is clearly the weakest track so far for me but Church Of The Poison Mind picks things up again. Miss Me Blind is poor and I find Mister Man quite dull. Stormkeeper and Victims do nothing to pick the latter half of the record up and it ends on a disappointing note. While I did enjoy parts of this more than I expected, I'm not sure I'll ever be reaching to put it on again.

Culture Club’s 1983 hit album Colour by Numbers delivers an infectious, genre-blending listening experience driven by slick production, soulful vocals, and vibrant pop energy. Anchored by undeniable standout tracks—including the iconic, irresistible hook of "Karma Chameleon," the groovy vocal harmonies of "Miss Me Blind," and the jolly, high-energy bounce of "Church of the Poison Mind"—the record easily establishes its classic "vibe." While a few tracks like "That's the Way" and "Mister Man" land closer to average filler, the album consistently elevates itself through rich textures, spanning soulful ballads ("Black Money"), jazzy pop arrangements ("Changing Everyday"), and standout basslines with dynamic finishes ("Stormkeeper" and "Victims"). Balancing chart-topping anthems with solid, soulful deep cuts, Colour by Numbers comfortably earns a strong 4 out of 5 stars.

Smells like the 80's too much. A couple of durable songs but by and large best left in the past.

good album

As much as George was a massive arse around this time, his voice was special; with the ability to raise the standard of an album of very average songs, spattered with the odd single here & there (including the excellent ‘Victims’) up a notch.

Nothing offensive, but nothing that blew my mind either. If you separate this album into the songs that were pervasive across radio stations in the ‘80s and those that weren’t, you end up with two completely different albums. One is ’80s synth-pop, while the other has some cool jazz/pop fusion. These underlying jazz influences lifted this from a 2 to a 3 for me.

The first album I owned when I was 9. Anyway it’s not amazing. Different than a lot of 80s though. 2.5

I feel a lot of 80s pop bands had it in them for one classic, if cheesy, track per album before losing steam. Culture Club demonstrate this here. Karma Chameleon is what it is. Unkillable, if cheesy. Some other tracks are decent (Miss Me Blind, It's a Miracle, Church of the Poison Mind etc.), but they are largely operating between a 4 and a 5 out of 10 beyond that handful of tracks. Alright, but not great

This was awful. I hated it beginning to end. Karma Chameleon wasn't terrible, but even it is pretty damn generic. I can sing the "comma comma comma comma comma chameleon" part, but I have no memory of hearing the east of the song, but I'm sure I didn't get through 40 some odd years of living without hearing it in a dentists office or tire shop waiting room. The real wonder is how something so damn bland can also be so annoying. Pretty much every song was getting on my nerves, as the track would end, I'd look forward to something new, only for the new song to be worse.

Minus one for the extra u

One banger. The rest, very 80s. Also too long of an album.

Boy George, nice listening to this album, I’d heard some songs from it, he was so big back in the day,no idea what he’s up to now?

Fantastic song to start but the rest was pretty by the numbers

This was way more R&B than I was expecting. But that is not a bad thing at all. I really enjoyed the record.

Can maybe understand why it might be here but not my thing

Know the band. some songs are good. Never cared much for the culture. Good album overall.

Karma Chameleon and bunch of forgettable songs

Mmmm no sé. Nunca me gustó la canción de Karma Chameleon y el resto de las canciones (del álbum original) solo me recordaban a Wham! o a George Michael. El El resto de las canciones que salieron con el disco remasterizado me parecieron que no iban con las canciones previas del disco original.

"Fucking Boy George" - Waj (Four Lions 2010). Seriously, why was this on here this is very mid with an annoying lead single.

Nice album, first song is legendary!

Album #171: Colour By Numbers - Culture Club Genre (W): New wave, blue-eyed soul Singles: Church of the Poison Mind, Karma Chameleon, Victims, Miss Me Blind, It’s a Miracle I have not listened to this album before. Thoughts?: A decently produced album that, unfortunately, has a tendency of dragging. I also like Boy George’s vocals as well. Favorite tracks: Karma Chameleon, It’s a Miracle, Miss Me Blind

Just cannot stand his voice

a lil pop snack. not bad

some tracks are kinda ok but most of it is just terrible 80s pop

Not a bad album bit not sure it is one i had to hear before i die. The songs are a tried formula and i can think of a lot of bands who did similar. Think dance tempo regardless of style you’re copying (r&b, reggae, etc), easy melody, chorus is the hook and gets repeated a lot, throw in sax solo or harmonica solo, rinse, repeat.

Sorry but this one is a bit of an 80’s stinker. Only redeeming song is their hit “karma-chameleon” and even that is fairly overrated.

First listen. Not a huge fan. It’s alright.

This was solid 80s pop. No real surprises, Karma Chameleon was obviously the standout.

Quite fun, but also well recorded. A lot of ideas. Not really my jam but it did make me bop.

Nope.

I’m sorry, I know folks like the music, but not I

I don't know like, it's not bad but it's not connecting to me at all. It's strange but even though there is differences, 80s pop albums just feel like once you heard one you heard most of it. What using the same synthesiser does to a decade I guess. At least the singer actually wants to sing here.

Absolutely hated this, this is what I imagine you get played on a loop in hell

Good

Wasnt expecting much after Karma Chameleon but suprisingly well rounded album, albeit quite short. They are good musicians. Nice solo/guitar in Miss Me Blind too - would have liked more of that. Favourite track: It's A Miracle

It was great in 1984 and it’s still great. Pop or blusey, I feel his more heartfelt songs are more sincere.

“I am the patron saint of mediocrity.” Amadeus (1984)

Pop agradable, buenas ideas en los arreglos. Muy completo :D