The mighty ’Hogs deserve more than a passing reference in British progressive rock history in that, unlike many of their contemporaries, they never rested on their laurels. Frontman Tony McPhee’s ever-changing focus as the band moved forward from pure blues beginnings meant he was never likely to find a formula and reproduce it album after album. This release covers their first five LPs: 1968’s Scratching The Surface, the following year’s Blues Obituary, and a brace of 1970-72 albums, Thank Christ For The Bomb, Split, and Who Will Save The World. The last three all made the Top 10, an indication of the size of audience prog enjoyed as the 70s began.
Given EMI, which owns the Liberty and United Artists labels, remastered this material in 1996 and 2003, it’s unlikely anyone familiar with the Groundhogs won’t already possess these fine albums. But those wishing to join such contemporary fans as Stephen Malkmus and Dave Grohl will find this triple-disc set good value for £15 – almost as cheap, per title, as old fashioned vinyl. And the likes of Cherry Red at full volume will still test the adhesion of your fillings…
