Chin Chin

Sound of the Westway (Slumberland)

Originally released in 1985 and then relegated to the dustbin, Sound of the Westway is one of those “huh” moments, almost tailor-made to be ignored in its day and rediscovered 25 years later just as its sound is being carbon-copied left and right. Swiss trio Chin Chin – guitarist Karin, bassist Esther, and drummer Marie-Anne – stuck around for one LP only, and it’s difficult to tell if American New Wave or British punk influenced them, since the Swiss punk scene wasn’t fully formed yet. There’s a bit of the Clash on “Dark Days,” and while the playing isn’t technically suave, the attitude’s there. Twelve original songs plus two additional tracks give you Chin Chin’s love, war, and sadness, but the songs get repetitive toward the end, never exiting the comfort zone of three-chord singsong pop, although “Stay With Me” and “My Guy” still make for a solid double A-side single.

**

This article appears in May 14 • 2010.

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