NEW LP
New sealed copy. 2023 reissue.
Chrome is the second studio album by English alternative rock band Catherine Wheel, released on 20 July 1993 by Fontana Records in the UK and Mercury Records in the US. Produced by Gil Norton, the album was a departure from the band's shoegaze-infused debut, embracing a harder-edged alternative rock sound that resonated with fans and critics alike.
The lead single, "Crank", reached No. 5 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart, while the album itself peaked at No. 26 on the Heatseekers Albums chart. Although it was not a massive commercial success, Chrome has been recognized for its ambition and sonic growth, including being listed by Pitchfork in 2016 as one of the "50 Best Shoegaze Albums of All Time."
Recorded at Britannia Row Studios, where Joy Division had famously worked, Chrome captured a heavier, more robust side of Catherine Wheel's music. Standout tracks include "Show Me Mary", "Ursa Major Space Station" and "Fripp", the latter named after King Crimson’s guitarist Robert Fripp. Music videos were created for several singles, with the striking "Crank" video gaining particular attention for its bold, cinematic imagery.
The album’s striking cover was shot by Storm Thorgerson and features a memorable photo of a swimmer submerged in water, adding to the album’s mystique. Today, Chrome remains a vital document of early 90s British alternative rock and a high point in Catherine Wheel’s career.
TRACKLIST:
A1 Kill Rhythm
A2 I Confess
A3 Crank
A4 Broken Head
A5 Pain
A6 Strange Fruit
B1 Chrome
B2 The Nude
B3 Ursa Major Space Station
B4 Fripp
B5 Half Life
B6 Show Me Mary
