I began listening to MC5 in late September 2021.
Kick Out the Jams (1969): A-
Back in the USA (1970): B+
High Time (1971): B-
Kick Out the Jams (1969):
Brothers and sisters, this is the energy I was hoping for from the Stooges. Rambunctious hard rock, guitars that are much to loud, and the cherry on top: leftist propaganda from a maniac with more power than Roger Daltrey and the bigger afro than Bob Ross. Besides "Starship," just another stupid jam about space, these high-energy live performances are accompanied by surprisingly good songwriting and convince me that this may well be the high society. A-
Back in the USA (1970):
Although taking a pretty dramatic turn stylistically--Rob Tyner's rallying call is now "Alright kids, let's get together and have a ball!" instead of "Kick out the jams motherfuckers!"--MC5 is staying true to their rock'n'roll roots and their political leanings. Their songwriting has gotten stronger and their playing is tighter, highlighted by "The American Ruse," one of the best protest songs of the 70s. Despite this, the band isn't able to capture the wild energy of their live debut and the creepy "Teenage Lust" tints every other love song on the album negatively. B+
High Time (1971):
What was once one of the most underrated, powerful, and promising rock bands of the late 60s has diminished into a meager afterthought. Tyner has totally lost his command, often pushing his voice to little effect. Fred "Sonic" Smith and Wayne Kramer can still provide some exhilarating guitar leads and riffs every once and a while but it's often dampened by the strange production. The band's songwriting, which was their secret weapon, limps along with Tyner. B-
