Chelsea “No Escape” 1980. Released as Alternative Hits in the UK, No Escape is a comp of early punk singles dating from ‘77 through ‘80 (plus the track “Come On”). Chelsea may be best known for initial line-up’s sowing the seeds of Generation X and providing William Broad aka Billy Idol his first band (he played guitar for the first iteration of Chelsea, leaving in ‘76 along with Tony James and John Towe who were also in London SS with The Clash’s Mick Jones). They don’t play on this album – in fact keeping track of the various members in the late 70′s and 80′s is pretty much impossible (even Sting was in Chelsea at one point!); singer/frontman Gene October has been the only member to remain throughout the 40+ years of the band’s career. That said, the songs on No Escape are consistently punked-up pub rock: proudly loud and working class with oi attitude. Tracks like “Urban Kids” and “Right to Work” give a unflinchingly stark view of the struggles of British youth during the age of British conservatism and Margaret Thatcher. It’s not sophisticated or particularly innovative – think more Ramones simplicity than Clash creativity. No Escape is a good snapshot into early populist punk.