If you haven’t heard of them yet, it’s just a matter of time before some big print magazine names them “The Best Band You’ve Never Heard”. But I’m going to beat them to the punch. It’s Athens, Georgia’s Commander Chameleon, a band that could very well reserve a spot amongst the other Athens luminaries REM and The B-52’s. With a very ambitious 28 tracks on their self titled disc, there’s bound to be a song for everyone.Mastered by John Keane, whose previous clients have included The Cowboy Junkies, The Indigo Girls and hometown boys REM, it’s a very slick sounding album, rife with political, religious, environmental and social commentary, as well as pop culture references, set against elaborate arrangements. If Primus with a jamband twist, a surfer vibe, and a hint of early Barenaked Ladies sounds appealing, you’ll probably like Commander Chameleon.“Pink Telephone” is a particularly catchy track, with dark lyrics against an airy, near-psychedelic music bed. You won’t be able to stop yourself from moving along to “Gravediggers” and “Freedom Tickler”. The acoustic tracks “Figure of Speech” and “Rubberhole” are a nice contrast to the more electronic sound of the other songs on the album. Lyrically, the album indicates this is a well-read band, very much aware of what is going on in the world around them, and they’re prepared to make their voice heard in an accessible format. They’re opinionated, but their tongue-in-cheek approach makes you listen to what they have to say.My best suggestion is to sit down with your favourite beverage and listen to this album from beginning to end at least once. If anything, it’s an experience. And some of you may even go back and listen to at least a few of the tracks again.4 out of 5-Mellisa Girimante