In many respects, "Colour by Numbers," the second album from Culture Club, is a perfect record. It's a crowd-pleasing mix of soul, reggae, and pop that richly deserved its multiplatinum status. There's the Motown flavor of the delectable "Church of the Poison Mind," the reggae lilt of their signature hit "Karma Khameleon," and the disco twirl of "Miss Me Blind." Boy George may have assumed top billing as the group's lead singer, but backing vocalist Helen Terry made a pretty strong impression on the album as well. Her vocal contribution to the showstopper "That's the Way (I'm Only Trying to Help You)" makes this one of the best songs Culture Club has recorded and still stands as an underappreciated album cut. For all the media attention concerning George, his turbulent relationship with drummer Jon Moss, and the reports of heroin addiction, Culture Club were among the most vibrant groups of the 1980s. Isn't it time you started to add some "colour" to your music collection?

This is such a fantastic album. I don't think I'll ever not enjoy listening to this album. I think this is worthy of LANDMARK ALBUM status. It starts with "Karma Chameleon" and keeps gettimg better. "Black Money" has got to be one of their best recordings. The vocal duet between Helen Terry and Boy George leaves you with chills. Never have I known a white singer that can sing like Aretha Franklin. "Victims" is my favorite and everytime I listen to that song it gets better."Church Of The Poison Mind", "It's A Miracle" and "Miss Me Blind" were the bigger hits along with "Karma Chameleon". I also think that "Mister Man" is a fantastic song. It didn't get better than this unfortunately. They only had two more albums following this and they never came close to being as good as this one.

This album never hit number 1 in the US because of Michael Jackson's Thriller. But anyone who had this album knew it was a hundred times better. It has both rock, pop, and soul, which no other group has had today. Boy George and Helen Terry are on top of the world with "That's The Way" (I'm Only Trying to Help You), and in "Church of the Poison Mind". The classic "Karma Chameleon" came from this album, but evey song is just as powerful, or you might say even more powerful. "Mister Man" is irresitable, while "Victims" was the deepest ballad of the decade, never even released as a single in the US. "It's A Miracle" is the ultimate dance classic. "Black Money", "Changing Everyday", and "Stormkeeper" are more incredible soul songs on the album. The number 5 US hit "Miss Me Blind" is also included. I was giving this album on my birthday when I was six years old on LP, and I never have seen anything better. It is a powerhouse of an album. Try your best to get it, and I hope you do. Thanks for reading.

We can't get albums better than this. From the breakdance hit "It's A Miracle", to the flashy "Karma Chameleon", and jumping to the tamala- motown sound of "Church of the Poison Mind," we all can have a party on the street. We also can't forget the soul of the album, such as "Black Money", "Changing Everyday", and "That's the Way (I'm only trying to help you)." These are the soul songs , despite "This Time-- The First Four Years" in 1987, that are missing from the group's U.S. greatest hits albums . We can never get bored of the voices of George and Helen Terry together. Let's not forget other fun tunes like "Mister Man", "Stormkeeper", and "Miss Me Blind". And we'll never forget the dark, but wonderful ballad, "Victims." This beats Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and Prince's "Purple Rain." These were popular at the time as well, but those albums don't come to the mark of "Colour by Numbers." Those albums take time to warm up to, while all the songs aren't that hot. "Colours" is so flashy you get right into the music, danceable pop or soul. That's another reason this album is the best of the 1980's, and possibly the best of all time. Not many groups make albums with pop and soul where every song should get a prize. The 1980's would have been nothing without Culture Club. That is why they were the greatest and still are. Music will never be as great as this.

I got this CD back in August 2002 and I absolutely love the CD. It's what I call my driving music. (...) Here we go, track by track.

1.Karma Chameleon - A country like type of song. It is very catchy and singable. Everybody knows the words to this song. Who doesn't? ''Karma karma karma karma karma chameleon....you come and go, you come and go.'' Love the harmonica. When Boy George does it at his concerts, he repeats the word ''karma'' 17 times at the end. Don't you think it's very, very repetitive? I'd say ''OK!! Enough!!''

2.It's A Miracle - A feel-good type of song. It was originally titled ''It's America.'' You clap your hands, stomp your feet, sing along. Always, like it says in the song ''Dreams are made of emotions!'' It's true.

3.Black Money - The soul song on the CD and very slow. It was about the band realizing the cost of fame to become very sucessful. George and Helen Terry are blasting away when you listen to this song.

4.Changing Every Day - Another slow jam that has very good sax solos. You always listen to this song on a very quiet morning.

5.That's the Way - The piano ballad with George and Helen Terry again singing a duet. It was about George's mom and George has some strong vocals.

6.Church of the Poisoned Mind - A tribute to Motown 60's soul. Aretha Franklin meets Stevie Wonder. There are some nice harmonica breaks during the song. It is a song about George's boyfriend, drummer Jon Moss.

7.Miss Me Blind - Wow!! Awesome song that will keep you rocking on your feet and will catch you singing along, though it gets repetitive after the awesome guitar solo by Roy Hay. Awesome! The trip to 70's disco!!

8.Mister Man - This is a trumpet song and very mid-tempo. George's smooth vocals have you dancing along to this song. It is not very fast.

9.Stormkeeper - The flute meets the sax. Awesome song. Hey, what is that noise at the end? It's the stormkeeper! Ha Ha!

10.Victims - The dark and drippy ballad almost like a storm. George sounds very vocallly and there are nice orchestra selections, including flute and violins. There's a piano in this, too.