The band has released five studio albums: "Brave Worlds" (1987), "Submarine Bells" (1990), "Soft Bomb" (1992), "Sunburnt" (1996), "Silver Bullets" (2015) and "Snow Bound" (2018). The compilation "Kaleidoscope World" (1986) collects most of their single releases and EPs between 1980 and 1986.
The band is best known as apart of the Dunedin Sound style of indie pop music, which coalesced around the Auckland-based label Flying Nun Records. The band originally formed with the lineup of Martin Phillips (vocals, guitar), his sister Rachel Phillips (keyboards), Peter Gutteridge (guitar), Jane Dodd (bass) and Alan Haig (drums). By the time the band released their debut single "Rolling Moon" in 1982, the lineup had changed to Martin Phillips, Rachel Phillips, Terry Moore (bass), and Martyn Bull. The band disbanded when Bull died of leukemia in 1983.
After Martin Phillips reformed The Chills in 1984, the band never again had a constant lineup, with the only two members to last for more than two albums being bassist Justin Harwood and keyboardist Andrew Todd, who were both members of the group from 1986 to 1990. Terry Moore also rejoined the band sporadically between 1984 and 1992. The Chills disbanded in 1993, but reformed once more in 1995. Since then the band has sporadically toured and recorded.
Effloresce and Deliquesce
The Chills Lyrics
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Sparks ignite the starry-eyed, soon a supernova
Effloresce and deliquesce
He bursts froth and then regrets
She brakes down and when he goes slowly ices over
Effloresce and deliquesce
Crystallize before his eyes
Tears can't conquer power
Now they're acting, watch this happening
Then undergo change to tease the other
Now they're fighting, this part's frightening
Lies are flying
The silence boiled over
Over-reaching
Se them trying
Counter-acting changes in each other
Other forces force them higher
Tears are scalding
Anger flows like fire
Effloresce and deliquesce
She burst forth and then regrets
He breaks down and when she goes slowly ices over
Effloresce and deliquesce
He is weary, needing rest
She is too but in an hour thy burst into flower
imsite
The lyrics to The Chills's song "Effloresce and Deliquesce" tell a story of a tumultuous relationship that is marked by ups and downs, passion and regret, and ultimately transformation. The title itself refers to the chemical processes of blooming and dissolving, which appropriately captures the cyclical nature of the couple's dynamic. The opening lines, "Effloresce and deliquesce, carefree sparkling effervesce/ Sparks ignite the starry-eyed, soon a supernova," set the tone for the explosive nature of the relationship, with the pair initially swept up in the thrill of their attraction.
As the song progresses, however, there are hints of trouble beneath the surface. The lyrics suggest that the man in the relationship may be controlling, with lines like "She may weep but he knows best" and "Tears can't conquer power." Meanwhile, the woman is depicted as willing to compromise her own needs for the sake of the relationship: "He is weary, needing rest/ She is too but in an hour they burst into flower." Ultimately, the song ends on a note of transformation and renewal, with both members of the couple undergoing changes and emerging with a new sense of vitality.
Line by Line Meaning
Effloresce and deliquesce, carefree sparkling effervesce
Growing and dissolving, happily bubbling and fizzing
Sparks ignite the starry-eyed, soon a supernova
Love at first sight leads to intense passion and possibly an explosive breakup
Effloresce and deliquesce, He bursts froth and then regrets
Growing and dissolving, he gets overly excited and then feels remorse
She brakes down and when he goes slowly ices over
She becomes emotional and he withdraws, leading to a cold distance between them
Effloresce and deliquesce, She may weep but he knows best
Growing and dissolving, she cries but he believes he knows what's best for their relationship
Crystallize before his eyes, Tears can't conquer power
She becomes cold and distant in his presence, and her tears can't change the power dynamic
Now they're acting, watch this happening, Then undergo change to tease the other
They're putting on a show for each other, then changing their behavior to purposely annoy the other
Now they're fighting, this part's frightening, Lies are flying, The silence boiled over
Their argument has escalated and become scary, with accusations and lies flying back and forth until they're both too angry to speak
Over-reaching, Se them trying, Counter-acting changes in each other
They're both reaching too far and trying too hard to change the other, leading to a cycle of counteracting each other's attempts
Other forces force them higher, Tears are scalding, Anger flows like fire
External forces are pushing them to the breaking point, with tears and anger boiling over
Effloresce and deliquesce, She burst forth and then regrets, He breaks down and when she goes slowly ices over
Growing and dissolving, she becomes passionate then feels remorse, he becomes emotional when she withdraws and becomes distant
Effloresce and deliquesce, He is weary, needing rest, She is too but in an hour they burst into flower
Growing and dissolving, he's exhausted and needs a break, as does she, but they'll both bounce back with renewed passion soon
Contributed by Lily R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.