The Gruesomes Gruesomology 1985-89 (Sundazed) Rating: NNNN Rating: NNNN
Montreal’s tyrants of teen trash have four years’ worth of greatest garage misses compiled by top-shelf U.S. cult rock reissue operation Sundazed in splendid fashion, boasting crisp sound and track-by-track annotation. Split between the Gruesomes’ snotty album tracks and their even snottier singles and compilation sides – including their snarling covers of Les Lutins’ Je Cherche and the Outsiders’ Won’t You Listen? – the comprehensive overview shows off the frenzied freakbeat rave-ups that delighted Canuck crowds during the short-lived garage rock revival of the late 80s that recently returned with a vengeance. The Gruesomes struggle to fit into their old stovepipe pants at the Silver Dollar Saturday (October 18).
