The Band<
Vocals - Rob Tyner
Guitar - Wayne Kramer
Guitar - Fred "Sonic" Smith
Bass - Mike Davis
Drums - Dennis Thompson
Review
The MC5's music is known for being loud, rude, and crude. But when people say that, I don't think they realise that The MC5 were trying to bring people together. Which is what The MC5 eas trying to do :p.
Many people would like to classify them into the punk rock category, but I do not believe they fitted into that. They had too much of a blues influence, and they really didn't want anarchy. They wanted peace, but they were also about getting it in anyway necessary. Though either way, they did influence many genres of music.
The band was lead by mentor and activist John Sinclair. Who was certainly an enemy of the government. He would hold rallies for the White Panthers (Who The MC5 were the house band for), and even brought the band to Chicago for the Democratic Convention. Which they were partly held reasponsable for the massive rioting. Soon enough, Sinclair was caught with Marijuana. And the government jumped on it, and used it to lock him up for a long time.
Other great things about The MC5 would be the great dual guitar playing of both Kramer and "Sonic" Smith. They fitted together and bounced off of each other extrodinarily. I would also have to add that the great preaching/singing of Rob Tyner was indescripable. He made the stage a place were you can get what you want said out, which is a lesson to us all.
They also should be remembered for being risk takers. Think about it, they made a record that was banned in several states, they debuted with a live album, and they were willing to fight for what they wanted. Definatley a band that should be honored and remembered for ever.
Ramblin' Rose
This song is truly an unforgettable opening track. It opens with Tyner preaching about how he wants the crowd to testify. After hearing the preaching, the song is sort of secondary. The tune is catchy. Tyner does make his voice high-pitched. Which I don't really like, but either way I always find myself listening to this song all the time. 5/5
Kick out the Jams
This song combines many things. Two would be one of the most unforgettable intros ever, and a fabulos anthem. It opens with the famous "Right now, Right now, Right now it's time to... Kick out the jams mother****er!!", which is definatley shocking at first. It also has a great chorus, and some great verses. This is probably the bands best. 5/5
Come Together
The opening to this song sounds very similair to The Who's "I can see for Miles". Other wise, this is a good song, but occasionally annoys me. I do like the line "Together in the darkness". 4/5
Rocket Reducer No.62
This is a very confusing song. It's like I always wonder what's going on. Through all the confusion, it's still a pretty good song. It has some cool lyrics, and catchy guitar playing. 3.5/5
Borderline
I don't really care for this song. I do like the guitar playing, and the bass and drums fit in there nicely, but the lyrics and vocals, both lead and backing are kind of annoying. This song surely shouldn't be paired up with a great band like this. 2/5
Motor City is Burning
This is a very interesting song. For one because they slow it down, and go extremley bluesy. It is also interesting because it opens with Tyner preaching about how "The rich honkies" think that the rich life is the high society, but he goes on saying "This (meaning the crowd) is the high society". This song also has numerous amounts of great guitar solos, by both Kramer and Smith. 5/5
I Want you Right Now
This song reminds me of "Wild Thing" by The Troggs. Probably because the first two notes to the riff, which are extremely catchy by the way. The song also has some freaky screaming, some skat, and a great guitar solo. 5/5
Starship
This is a very odd song, but in a good way. It is not like any MC5 song, or most songs by any other band at that. It's a cross between progressive rock and their common form of rock. It has some interesting lead and backing vocals, which bouce off of each other well, and some humming, which is unusual. It seems to be a cross between an opera, a Pink Floyd song, a King Crimson song, sounds of a forest in the summer, and the sound you would here if you smashed an amp with a guitar. Great closer. 5/5
I give this a 5/5 for how influential, and experimental this album and band are.
