Across a series of digital singles in 2021, Boston’s The Chelsea Curve delivered a bunch of top notch tunes. At their best, the tracks sounded like unreleased gems by the likes of Pearl Harbor & The Explosions and Holly & The Italians put through a mod-ish filter, such was the band’s knack for hitting the listener with a world of classic riffs and big, very retro hooks.
The former Red On Red Records signings sound just as great on this double whammy, issued in the summer of ’25. The previously unheard ‘Hey Sah-Lo-Nay’ finds the band digging into the Northern Soul archives, and turning an old 60s floor filler into something that sounds like the bastard child of The Flamin’ Groovies, Joan Jett and The Beat Rats amped up to eleven. Mickey Lee Lane’s original vocal melody sounds great when transposed to a grittier voice, and Linda turns in a flawless performance, which allows her forceful delivery to cut loose against a really punchy bassline. Understandably, when retooled for the Curve’s power trio format, this recording loses out on the hooky brass fills, but with an almost proto-punk inspired punch, it doesn’t miss them too much, especially with some massive power chords from the guitar filling a lot of space. What really counts here, of course, is how brilliantly Linda sells the simple chorus, and she absolutely roars into the repetitive melody, reaching full cry, making the track sound as catchy as ever. There are moments here where the soul roots within the arrangement makes The Chelsea Curve sound like the cousins of The Inciters from a rough neighbourhood, but that certainly isn’t a bad thing.
Joining that absolute banger, a remix of ‘Jamie C’mon’ (the lead track from the band’s 2022 LP ‘All The Things’) brings out the very best in an already great song. Remixing things doesn’t always work for the best, but with a sympathetic hand and ear, Andy Lewis has improved this tune considerably. From the outset, everything sounds bigger and brighter, eschewing the garage rock origins for more of an old soul sound, making it the perfect counterpart for ‘Hey Sah-Lo-Ney’. More importantly, the addition of bells and a massive brass-led musical hook transforms it into something that sounds like a mix of great Boston rock and a deep cut from the Daptone label, sharing a beaming positivity that felt a little buried on the original album track. One listen to this and you’ll find yourself wondering how ‘Hey Sah-Lo-Ney’ would’ve sounded had it also been given the addition of brass and a similar production sound. This is great.
The Chelsea Curve’s 2022 long player ‘All The Things’ was enjoyable, but the band have always sounded much punchier when delivering single tracks, and that remains the case with regards to this release. If Red On Red’s founder Justine Covault were still here, she’d love this. If you’re already aware of The Chelsea Curve’s sound, you’ll have a fair idea of what you’re in for here, and you’ll love this too. This might only be a quick musical hit, but this band’s blend of rock, mod and soul has rarely sounded better.
May 2025