Punk Singles Collection, The - Chelsea

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	Plenty of hits with well written lyrics
Disadvantages:	None

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

No, this isn't an album of John Terry and Petr Cech singing, it's a bit of a punk classic. A compilation album covering punk band Chelsea's work from 1978 to 1982. Originally set up by Gene October and containing a band full of talent, initially including Billy Idol , Tony James and John Towe who quickly left with no hard feelings to Generation X while Gene October went through numerous line-up changes and focussed on the more political side of punk. Struggling for decent promotion, the band failed to release much in the way of albums but this album proves they definitely had some top hits.

Gene October's vocals are quite unique, neither raw and raucuous or prim and poppy, they have a stylish 60s sound added to a bloke in the pub belting out a punk anthem. The lyrics tend to be political but are not completelly in your face and usually have catchy choruses, just about every track starts off with a belter of a riff. "No One's Coming Outside" is a particular favourite of mine, which is more in the new wave vein but has a lot going on throughout. The vocals get incredibly "cool rock n roll" style on tracks like "I'm On Fire", a track which shows that the band were good at putting together lots of little pieces and styles to form a bit of a masterpiece.

This is definitely an under-rated album and should be listened to! The album runs chronologically from early songs to late.

1. Right to Work
2. Loner
3. High Rise Living
4. No Admission
5. Urban Kids
6. No Flowers
7. No One's Coming Outside
8. What Would You Do
9. I'm on Fire
10. Look at the Outside
11. Don't Get Me Wrong
12. No Escape
13. Decide
14. Rockin' Horse
15. Years Away
16. Freemans
17. I.D. Paradise
18. How Do You Know
19. Evacuate
20. New Era
21. War Across the Nation
22. Stand Out
23. Last Drink