The late Chris Bell's life was cut short by a collision with a telephone pole on Dec 27th 1978. During his lifetime only one single, the fantastic "I Am The Cosmos/ You and Your Sister" was released on Car Records. Starting out as part of the songwriting axis of Big Star, Bell jumped ship during the recording of their 2nd album "Radio City". Thereafter he recorded sporadically between bouts of depression, supported by his brother David, who is responsible for compiling this wonderful collection. This is ragingly spiritual music that alternates between a cry for help and an affirmation of everything that is good about the human spirit. If the Beatles had recorded Revolver part 2 it may have sounded something like this. The crystalline guitar solo on "I Am The Cosmos" brings to mind Clay Allison's "Fell From The Sun" in all it's stumbling glory. Bell was a devout catholic and homosexual, and this dichotomy creates a struggle borne out in many of the songs, his voice on the verge of cracking with emotion in places. The lilting "Look Up" with it's call to spirituality rather than darkness, the exile-on-main-street rumble of "Fight At The Table", the Lennon-ish "Better Save Yourself", the acoustic 12 string jangle of "Speed Of Sound". And this is in addition to the two tracks from the single which justify the purchase alone. Padded with alternate takes and liner notes by David Bell, this CD is an essential one that should be in everyones collection.

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