Mark Hansen wrote:

charliedon'tsurf wrote:I am going crap on this one. It is not that they don’t have any merit I just think they are overrated and most of their songs are mediocre at best, save “Kick Out the Jams”. They get bonus points for their politics and playing Democratic Convention is 1968, but I rarely find myself desiring to listen to their music.

Have you even listened to their album "Back In The USA"?

Yeah I bought it probably like 10 years ago. I listened to it a number of times but it left me sorta cold and thinking it was nothing exceptional besides the fact it was ahead of its time in terms of energy and aggressiveness. Still the songs struck me as unappealing.

Okay as a home work assignment I will bring that disc to my job this week and give it another listen with an open mind.

Hmm. The guy has a Sleestack as an avatar - yet he doesn't like The MC5. I think maybe there's a rainstorm in your head.

Smoke a bowl and play Ramblin Rose. You'll like.

ubercat wrote:Smoke a bowl and play Ramblin Rose. You'll like.

Jake for you this sounds like good advice...

yaledelay wrote:

ubercat wrote:Smoke a bowl and play Ramblin Rose. You'll like.

Jake for you this sounds like good advice...

It is and I have. I will admit Ramblin’ Rose is a decent song despite my instinctual aversion to falsetto vocals. Probably what I would consider the second best MC5 song to Kick out the Jams.

In all reality, I would not label them crap. More like an overrated but historically important band that did not write very many good songs. Just my opinion.

The MC5's biggest problem is that their image has always simultaneously worked for them and against them.

If all you've heard about them is the White Panther sloganeering and people saying how dangerous and crazy they were then the reality is going to be a bit disappointing.

If you approach them looking for some kick ass rock 'n' roll that's exactly what you'll get.

The pre-Elektra 45s are all mind-blowing.
Every second of the Kick Out The Jams album is essential.
Back In The USA is an album of great songs recorded really badly. Luckily the songs are good enough to just about shine through.
High Times is a totally under-rated album. Not all of it is classic but Sister Anne, Over And Over, Sonically Speaking etc make it well worth a look.
The reunion was always going to be an anti-climax with two very key figures now dead - but this poll isn't about the reunion.

NOT CRAP