I wrote about Chin Chin last year, and for months have been putting off buying Slumberland Records reissue of Chin Chin's 1985 LP Sound of the Westway for no other reason than just being plain ol' broke as a joke. I finally shelled up some clams and bought it and HOLY SHIT I'm so glad I did.
The band's sound on their full-length album is a bit different than their debut single, We Don't Wanna Be Prisoners (listen below)
This song is amazing and lively. I love their gang vocals and it kind of reminds me of a tamer Vice Squad. However, their full length album that came out one year after Prisoners is chock full of that C86 girly pop punk sound, beautiful harmonies and almost border-lining on an edgy twee feel. Every song is upbeat and fun and the great thing about buying this on vinyl, like most new vinyl releases, there's a free download card inside that comes with a bonus early demo rehearsal medley of My Boy Lollipop and Da Do Ron Ron. That recording is seriously as cute as a baby bunny's tail!!
Chin Chin toured with The Shop Assistants and also played with The Pogues, Anti-Nowhere League, TV Personalities and New Model Army. While bands like The Go-Go's and The Bangles have always received a lot of attention in America as influential female-fronted bands, Chin Chin is a band that has obviously been overlooked.
You can listen to clips of every song on the album here and that link also provides a free download of their song Dead Life. Buy the album here!
