Colour by Numbers

1	Karma Chameleon 4:12
2	It's a Miracle 3:25
3	Black Money 5:19
4	Changing Every Day 3:17
5	That's the Way (I'm Only Trying to Help You) 2:46
6	Church of the Poison Mind 3:30
7	Miss Me Blind 4:29
8	Mister Man 3:36
9	Stormkeeper 2:49
10	Victims 4:53

Barnes & Noble

After conquering America with its debut album, Kissing to Be Clever, featuring the classic pop-reggae ballad "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me," Culture Club quickly followed up with Colour by Numbers, a remarkably coherent, confident, and mature album for a group that many were dismissing as a temporary sensation. The single "Karma Chameleon" went to No. 1 on both sides of the Atlantic, its appeal the result of an effortlessly lilting rhythm, Boy George's dulcet vibrato, a sing-along chorus, and mildly spiritual lyrics. "Church of the Poisoned Mind," a lively retro-Stax soul stomp, and the equally catchy "Miss Me Blind" both also scored big as singles. The ballads "Black Money" and "Victims" allowed backing singer Helen Terry to challenge George for vocal dominance, while enabling drummer Jon Moss, multi-instrumentalist Roy Hay, and bassist Mikey Craig to stretch their talents. Having cemented their status as one of the world's biggest and freshest bands, Culture Club -- almost predictably -- split two albums later, provoked by infighting over hit writing and various forms of substance abuse chronicled in their must-see VH1: Behind the Music. Colour by Numbers was unquestionably the zenith of a short but delightful career. Tony Fletcher

All Music Guide

Colour by Numbers was Culture Club's most successful album, and, undoubtedly, one of the most popular albums from the 1980s. Scoring no less than four U.S. hit singles (and five overseas), this set dominated the charts for a full year, both in the United States and in Europe. The songs were infectious, the videos were all over MTV, and the band was a media magnet. Boy George sounded as warm and soulful as ever, but one of the real stars on this set was backing vocalist Helen Terry, who really brought the house down on the album's unforgettable first single, "Church of the Poison Mind." This album also featured the band's biggest (and only number one) hit, the irresistibly catchy "Karma Chameleon," its more rock & roll Top Five follow-up "Miss Me Blind," and the fourth single (and big club hit), "It's a Miracle" (which also featured Helen Terry's unmistakable belting). Also here are "Victims," a big, dark, deep, and bombastic power ballad that was a huge hit overseas but never released in the U.S., and other soulful favorites such as "Black Money" and "That's the Way (I'm Only Trying to Help You)," where Boy George truly flexed his vocal muscles. In the 1980s music was, in many cases, flamboyant, fun, sexy, soulful, colorful, androgynous, and carefree, and this album captured that spirit perfectly. A must for any collector of 1980s music, and the artistic and commercial pinnacle of a band that still attracted new fans years later. Jose Promis