Hidden gems from Matt Jones’ record collection:

"In this column, I want to shine a light on the essential hidden gems in my record collection. Albums that might not always get the spotlight, but have stayed close to me over years of listening."

For this month's hidden gem, we head across the Tasman for the first time. Surprising really, considering my love for so many New Zealand bands.

This album found me completely by chance. I was reading Rolling Stone magazine back in the early '90s when I saw critics had crowned it Album of the Year. I thought, "Let's give it a go."

What I discovered was an album of unique beauty, where the lyrics constantly wowed me, with Martin Phillipps using words I'd never even heard of, let alone heard in songs.

The album is The Chills' Submarine Bells.

It was a huge success in New Zealand, entering the album charts at No. 7 before climbing to No. 1 the following week. The single 'Heavenly Pop Hit' reached No. 2, and in an ideal world it would have been massive everywhere. 'Heavenly Pop Hit' would have been exactly that, and Martin Phillipps would have been rich.

Instead... the curse of The Chills struck again.

Outside New Zealand, the album commercially sank without a trace. Now onto the music.

The album opens with 'Heavenly Pop Hit', a pure pop song in the real sense of the word. "Where the darkness has ended, and the sentence is suspended, and we can hover, silent, and listen, closely."

Brilliant lyrical genius from the very first song, setting the tone for this wonderful record. Donna Savage's gorgeous harmonies create a real heavenly ebb and flow.

'Tied Up in Chain' continues the journey, opening with Andrew Todd's beautiful piano before slipping into an unusual time signature that creates something really special.

"If egos are inflated, they can crush a people flat."

One of my favourite lyrics on an album full of them follows soon after:

"So Operation Degradation springs again to action, for that fairy-tale faction and their custom-built crusade."

Next comes the onslaught of 'Oncoming Day', one of the oldest songs on The Chills' Submarine Bells, originally demoed during the Brave Words sessions but never quite getting there. Live, this song exploded with venom, while lyrically Martin was once again untouchable.

"The shadows of the leaves on the walls shimmer in a vivid twisted frame of grey."

Amazing imagery.

Track four, 'Part Past Part Fiction', is another favourite. It sparkles with gorgeous jangle and contains some of Martin's finest lyrics.

"Their phoney lonely cacophony, it didn't have to be this way."

It also features a beautiful lead guitar break after another wonderful lyric:

"Years of awkward confrontation, I'd like to set your mind at ease, but stuck here in these muddled ages, I find the words won't please."

This became the album's second single and, once again, it failed to chart.

The next three songs, 'Singing in My Sleep', 'I Soar' and 'Dead Web', feel like a trilogy of greatness and form the emotional centrepiece of this gorgeous record. The keyboards carry these beautiful songs, and I can almost imagine listening to them while sitting on Karekare Beach, completely swept away.

'Familiarity Breeds Contempt' feels like a companion piece to 'Oncoming Day', with Martin asking: "So why not drop by, burst my bubble for me?" It's an angry, guitar-driven attack that slowly takes you apart.

Next comes my favourite song on an album full of classics — 'Don't Be Memory'. I still love the opening line: "I almost wish I could forget you, but in reality I won't." Andrew Todd's gorgeous piano drives this lovely song about longing for love as Martin sings: "We don't have long... we don't have long."

Then comes another line that has stayed with me for years: "Trying to delay this desperate deal by mailing eight letters that say how I feel." Again, the imagery is simply beautiful.

'Efflorescence and Deliquescence' refers to two chemical processes, one crystallising and one dissolving. Once I understood the title, I sat back and enjoyed the gorgeous interplay between piano and jangling guitars. There are simply too many lyrical "wow" moments on this one to mention. You'll just have to listen.

'Sweet Times' provides a beautiful instrumental prelude before the title track, 'Submarine Bells', which still staggers me with its beauty all these years later.

I genuinely think it's one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard.

Even now I get shivers when it reaches the "To make you feel okay... kay... kay... okay..." ending before that gorgeous piano closes the album.

It's the perfect conclusion to an album of stunning beauty.

Submarine Bells sits among many highlights in The Chills' catalogue, one of my favourite bands.

If you enjoy this one, also seek out their debut Brave Words, the wonderful Silver Bullets, the masterful lo-fi The Chills EP, and the essential singles collection Kaleidoscope World.

Where can you find The Chills' Submarine Bells?

Flying Nun reissued Submarine Bells a couple of years ago, and it's still readily available on vinyl. Original LPs and CDs can also be found for a very reasonable price.

Happy listening. Until next time.

Stream the full album