Raw work from the American underground
of the 60s – material that predates punk by more than a decade, but which really sets the scene for the kind
of searing, sneering attitude that really burst forth at the end
of the 70s! The work is from a variety
of scenes, although is especially heavy on the west coast – tracks recorded as a great antidote to more polished pop
of the time, especially the sort that was trying to pass itself off as rock, but which was really a much more watered-down vibe. The "garage" in the title doesn't really do the music justice – as many
of these acts are great musicians, given a key opportunity to really showcase their sound – and some
of these tracks were surprising hits, although many others are under-discovered gems. The set is put together in the best style
of the Strawberry label – a nice box, and plenty
of notes on the tracks within – a whopping 94 titles in all, with work from The Unusuals, Dimensions,
Shadows Of Knight, We The People, The Standells, Rationals, Other Half, Rangers, Strangeloves, Barbarians, Castaways, Remains, McCoys, Mad Hatters, Love, Mojo Men, Rocky & The Riddlers, Chris Morgan & The Togas, Limey & The Hanks, Echoes
Of Carnaby Street, Don & The Goodtimers, Bobby Fuller Four, Seeds, Merrell & The Exiles, New Yorkers, Bedlam Four, Jackals, and dozens
of others.