Various Artists - Chelsea (CD)

Although never a first- or even second-string punk band, London's Chelsea lasted through a variety of lineups over a number of years, with growling vocalist Gene October the only constant. 1979's CHELSEA is their first and possibly their best album. Here Chelsea favour a slower, more metal-influenced sound than many of their hyper punk contemporaries, with riff-rockers like "I'm on Fire" and "Fools and Soldiers" sounding more like Mott The Hoople or Slade than the Clash. Guitarist Tony James, later co-leader of the controversial Sigue Sigue Sputnik, plays in a slashing, riff-oriented style that shows Chelsea's stomping hard rock roots, while the cover of Jimmy Cliff's "Many Rivers to Cross" shows a wider range of influences. This reissue includes four demos of early Chelsea singles, including an excellent version of the anthemic "Urban Kids".