Gruntruck
Push

LA RECENSIONE

Let's start by saying that I personally label this group as "Grunge", but to avoid, as in the past, any disagreements because some argue that grunge never existed and is just a commercial gimmick, and others like me believe it did exist and how; in this review, we will call it "Seattle Sound". Hopefully that's acceptable...

Gruntruck was born in Seattle in 1989, right in the heart of the movement we call the Seattle Sound. This group might not have a major impact, they'll release only two albums, but there are those who will take notice of them particularly; I'm talking about Alice in Chains. Indeed, in 1992, when they come out with "Push," Gruntruck will follow the "Dirt" tour and open the stage for them, making way for Layne Staley and company. Not tired yet, the guys in the same year will also follow Pantera on their "Vulgar Display Of Power" tour.

After this brief introduction to the group, it's time to talk a bit about the album in question: "Push" is a dirty album, noisy, unpleasant to those who are not fans of the genre, while on the contrary, if you like "Bleach" by Nirvana, the early works of Mudhoney, or say Tad, you'll find it a great revelation. "Push" starts with "Tribe" which at about 30 seconds in, you'll say "damn, he was right; they are awesome" (if you're a fan of the genre). Then it continues with tracks like "Machine Action" or "Break" that make me question, "Why are these guys forgotten by God while Pearl Jam isn't?" (nothing against P.J.) but damn, I say...). In my opinion, the album has no flaws, it's great as a whole, the tracks are very similar to each other, keeping to the middle lane of the highway (you know, the one that facilitates passing), while those that, according to me, zoom past on the left lane at high speed and break a bit out of the "Push" mold are: "Lose" and "Slow Scorch".

There's not much more to say; if you don't know them and I've piqued your interest a bit, get this album somehow, it won't disappoint you. I think it's a Van Gogh, meaning it'll take a while to be understood, and with this review, I'm trying to shorten that time.