294 - MC5 - Kick Out the Jams

[csberry]

Loud and raucous, MC5's Kick Out the Jams laid part of the foundation for punk with this 1969 release. The blues are distorted. The vocals are frequently shouted. The band is occasionally chaotic with feedback, drum rolls, and screams.

Kick Out the Jams probably wouldn't be as wildly loved as it is if it wasn't recorded live. The rawness of being live emphasizes many of the traits that punk and other bands found so influential with this album. For me, the album seems very much of its time. There are songs where MC5 sound like a really loud version of Big Brother and the Holding Company and other times that they seem to lose the blues and instead sound like raw version of KISS. Gene and Paul need to give their Motor City big brothers a big thank you for the inspiration.

Songs I knew I liked: "Kick Out the Jams"

Songs I didn't know but now like: "Borderline"

Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again: "Motor City is Burning" - not really a bad song, but I found myself skipping it nearly every time after my first couple of run-thrus.