Time Never Forgets - The Anthology ('86-'88)

This digital-only comprehensive collection features the Boston band Scruffy the Cat’s output from the '80s for Relativity Records. This set includes both of the group's EPs (1986’s High Octane Revival and 1987’s Boom Boom Boom Bingo) and both albums (1987’s Tiny Days and 1988’s Moons of Jupiter). Combined with the Omnivore Recordings collection The Good Goodbye: Unreleased Recordings 1984-1990, this makes everything the raw "cowpunk" group recorded available to fans—and to a new generation that may not have known Scruffy the Cat's influence on the future alt-country scene. The material here is a perfect snapshot of what college radio was playing in the '80s, in opposition to the super-slick pop music and hair metal that dominated the mainstream charts of that decade. The group’s reliance on solid musicianship, vocal harmonies, and songwriting based in classic country and rock ’n’ roll made Scruffy the Cat consistent, though underdog, favorites. Sadly, lead singer/guitarist Charlie Chesterman passed away in 2013, putting an end to any more true band reunions.