The Chills were at the forefront of a style of rock known as the Dunedin Sound, which was named for their hometown of Dunedin, New Zealand. The classic Dunedin Sound is poppish rock that is driven by keyboards and synths, and that is exactly what we get on Submarine Bells. Though much of the first half, sans "Part Past, Part Fiction" is pretty forgettable, the second half really saves things. "Don't Be - Memory", a catchy, piano-driven song featuring acoustic guitars is a beautiful change of pace, and the swirling guitars and pianos of "Effloresce And Deliquesce" make another excellent track. The final track, complete with strings, is the title track, and it is easily the best song on the record. Though a chunk of the album is forgettable, this album is still a very important one in the Dunedin Sound, and a nice listen in general.
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