Reviews (page 4 of 8)
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tis punk, tis old punk probably would have been good to see them live instead of the live album but im like 64 years late
The music watch catchy and chaotic. I can see how this band was key in the punk movement. It won't have this on repeat, but it was good
Just your run-of-the-mill (live) 60s/70s rock album. Nothing special.
Not a band I've every listened to before, although I know the name and a little of the background of what was going on in Detroit at this sort of time. It was OK without ever really grabbing me, Of its time I guess, but not so badly of its time as to be horrible to listen to.
Maybe it's my jaded metalhead ass talking, but this doesn't feel anywhere near as energetic as everyone says it is. The album is just OK, for the most part. They can't really write songs anywhere near as well as the Stooges to which they are often compared, and the singer isn't very good at all. The guitar tones and drumming are good, but they can't really save this album. Many hold it up as a formative punk record, and I can kind of see it, but it's kind of lacking in terms of good songs compared to many other formative punk records. I especially hated the falsetto on "Ramblin' Rose". It is ultimately an example of an album that was highly influential but failed to age well in the face of more extreme and raucous music in decades to come.
Classic live punk/rock album. Pretty good, interesting hype man at the beginning.
first listen noisy and not very good quality
Ramblin' rose - 3 Kick out the jams - 4 Come together - 3 Rocket reducer no. 62 - 3 Borderline - 3 Motor city is burning - 4 I want you right now - 3 Starship - 1
Album 13/1001. Listened 1/30/2026. It's ok, probably a little too stoner rock for me, but could listen to it in the background.
Ok. Sounded like a good gig if you were there. Hard to place any significance on it now. But glad I listened.
Proto-Punk indeed. ★★★
Ugh I guess I just don't love american rock idk. it was cool but it didn't really speak to me i guess
они раздают энергию и вывозят ее. Похоже на ввайб Metal Family 1. Ramblin' Rose 7/10 крутые, качает 2. Kick Out The Jams 8/10 звучит как классика, максимально альтернативный рок в лучшем его образе 3. Come Together 6/10 много рифов, просто в транс уходят, под настроение 4. Rocket Reducer No.62 - Talk 5.5/10 5. Borderline 5/10 сестра поет и попадает в мелодику и ритм, я в наушниках и а*уе 6. Motor City is Burning 6/10 больше нравится по динамике и развитию, но к 6й практически идентичной другим песне, уже приелось 7. I Want You Right Now 4/10 я уже на 3ей перестала хотеть это слушать, проблемы с агрессией у них на лицо, из меня уже желчь выходит( 8. Starship 8.1/10 ОО что-то прикольное, круче всего, что есть в альбоме не люблю, когда песни - набор звуков, которые предназначены только для того, чтобы подрыгаться, как слушатель жалуюсь, что нет продыху от жесточайшей электрогитары. Итог: если бы не 1001альбом, я бы ни за что не послушала MC5
6/10
3,5/5 + High Energy, high intensity and overall electrifying performances + Rocket Reducer No. 62 is crazy good + It truly is something special - sometimes it sounds very amateurish, sometimes it doesn't work at all - for a live album, it lacks that atmosphere
A raucous, energetic live album. Heavy for its time! This is the only MC5 album I’ve heard, so it was familiar territory. I wouldn’t say it has become a favourite over the years though, just doesn’t seem to stick with me. Ultimately, I think that’s down to the songs. Not shit though.
punk rock. classic shit. over-done today, so a bit meh.
7/10
Prob 3.5? I don't especially love live albums and they're not what I generally listen to, but better than expected
2.6 I really liked the title track, others were ok, the album was like the epitome of just rock (no modifier). I hated the final song which was just shitty guitar? Overall ok
3.5 rounded down to 3. A clearly very good live act which would have been diminished slightly in a studio album. The whole revolution thing with the emcee was a bit annoying though, but what are you going to do with it being the 60s!
3 stars just because "Kick Out The Jams Motherfuckers"
Not my fav
I get that it’s influential but if I wanted to listen to this type of music I would just listen to the stooges
Little Bit Boring...
This might be one of the worthy live albums. Kick out the jams is one of the all time great riffs
Pretty good!
A fine album with good energy but never really goes anywhere than where it starts. A little one-note for my taste, but still a punchy leftist romp that isn't bad at all. Top tracks: Ramblin' Rose, Kick Out the Jams, I Want You Right Now
Clearly influential, no substance to it at all... yeah its definitely a punk record
Listened before: No Giving it as many stars as chords these dudes can play. 3/5 Fav: Motor City is Burning
Cool post-punky live album but it's really nothing impressive, some good stuff here though
I am one thousand percent sure that this influenced some of my favorite artists. But that's not enough to make it a repeat listen.
Rocket Reducer No. 62 - Talk is pretty awesome if not stupid and hilarious. I’M IN A BAND AND I LOVE IT… OOOOO YEA. Classic Yea band
Embarrassed to say I don’t know these guys beyond the Jeff Buckley cover so was happy to get a primer. They still sound current in a lot of ways and the influence they had is clearly apparent.
Fun listen but don’t feel the need to return
Feels like one of the seminal records of punk, right alongside the work of Iggy and The Stooges, but there's still a lot of bluesy grit and some slightly unhinged, experimental moments in there too. It's raw, loud, with a real political fire behind it. Also, I was halfway through when I realised that Fred “Sonic” Smith is in MC5, someone I know of through another punk legend, his partner and namesake, Patti Smith. 3.5 stars
6.8. Clean. Fun. Nothing. Crazy. Would put it on.
Not bad and doesn’t deserve as much hate in the popular comments. Definitely would have been a fun ass show for the audience.
Liked a couple of tracks
Not a bad album, just not sure that it has a lot of personality in and of itself compared to some of the other punk progenitors. I mean I like punk, but this just didn't move me hugely. 3/5
Poor man’s stooges
Rock, fine enough
Not a big fan of live albums, but I've added MC5 to my list of bands needing some additional listening.
I could imagine listening to this again.
Enjoyed this one. Very old school punk, and liked it was a live album. Favorite Song(s): Ramblin Rose, Kick Out The Jams
This was fine but nothing standout.
This is wild. Super raw and explosive rock which sounds like it kicks the doors in and lets the flood of future punk bands flow in. Huge energy that feels way ahead of its time.
This wasn’t bad - punk-tinged hard rock - but I think being a live recording hurt it. I had a hard time focusing on the music, and the muddy recording made it feel like there was a layer of separation between the listener and music. The last 5 minutes were pretty weird (not in a particularly good way). 3
Influential album that I think is a bit overrated. The few good tracks can get lost in the noise and mediocre ones.
Hey, an american punk band from the 60s. They sound good. Nice
I generally dislike live albums, and an aggressive punk band recorded live in 1969 sounds like a crime against hearing, but this actually works out. MC5 are raw enough in general to sound like shit all the time so it doesn't detract from their style to record them live. Really that's what this album is, loud, raw, and in your face. The only slow point is in the last song, Starship, and the rest of it is fast and loud. "Kick Out The Jams" (the song) I knew from Rage Against The Machine covering it, but the rest was new. It's nothing really exemplary, but I guess they were part of the real beginnings of punk and they could've put this out 5 years later and still sounded revolutionary. I do wish they played a little better but that's not what this is about. It's good fun.
Ugh, after a long hiatus I'm met with a live album. At least it was good. The recording sounds great and the music is palatable.
Good
Good energy and a historical curiosity but the songs are a bit weak.
Pretty interesting proto punk album. It’s definitely a lot heavier and louder than most stuff coming out in the late 60s, and you can hear how it helped shape the punk sound that followed.
I like a live album. Cool and crazy that this one is also a debut! This band is a mess for sure, but I’m gathering that’s the point, and it’s part of their charm?
i liked the album, but can't say it was "special". I can give a solid 3 but I think I'll comeback to this someday.
This was kind of banga on a friday morning
I never really cared for this album. It all kind of sounds the same. It's fine to come back to when listening to lists like this but I never really seek it out. I actually liked their album Back in the USA quite a bit more.
Live at Leeds from allegro.
Good rock'n'roll live!
I would henceforth consider the jams to have been successfully kicked out.
Good album
There’s something there. I just can’t find it
Better than I thought for 60's, good precursor to punk, but eh, moving on
Yeah, good
why is this revered as the forerunner to punk? late 60's garage band at best
rockslop
60s rock - harder than most for their time, not grabbing me though
This was pretty fun. Seems somewhat ahead of its time. I liked the raucous energy.
Pretty Raw but its brick wall breaking
was OK
The album really rips, no doubt about it. If it just had more substance than that then I’d rate it higher, but it’s still a rocking album.
Interesting sound coming from 1969. I get that this was the start of a movement. However, the album itself wasn't great. I bet it was awesome to be at the show, but not that great to listen to with only audio.
Guess it's fine. Not that into it
I respect MC5 for their place in influencing what would come to be Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. This album isn't very good, as far as live albums go. The songs, that are actually good, are hidden behind some not so good playing and at many times the recording is very bad and it sounds like a wild cacophony of screams and squeals. 2.5/5 (They were probably incredible to hear live, as what this album relates well is the fact that the atmosphere was incredible)
Very loud for the era
Live albums should be outlawed. That is my freezing cold take of the day. Will I have more? Probably. After MC’s 1-4 exited the stage it was time for MC5. The crowd was dopesick and a little sleepy, but this MC aims to wake everybody up and administer some NARCAN. At least that’s what I’m hoping for. I’m expecting some sloppy rock and raucous yelling from rich kids who just don’t wanna listen to mom and dad no more and now own large swaths of property. Prove me wrong. Ramblin’ Rose - TAKE 5 SECONDS BROTHERS AND SISTERS TO REALIZE THAT I AM white. I’m very white. Nah that intro went pretty hard. Good tone and holy shit I did not expect Tiny Tim to be belting out insane falsetto rock over this wicked garage rock. Kick Out the Jams - Damn this has almost metallic elements. Some of the screeching I mean. The music itself doesn’t have the required darkness but the energy is there. Kind of leveled off though. Come on MC5. Start kickin’. Come Together - This isn’t the Beatles. How can I sit here and make such astute observations whilst my contribution to global musical discourse goes largely uncelebrated? That’s the true injustice in our society. Forget rampant greed. It’s the fact that I haven’t received a large contract from Pitchfork. Rocket Reducer No. 62 - Talk - I do love this energy. Yell cooler stuff though. Not sure what’s with all the “let’s love everybody” shit. Get angry. It’s the systems that divide us anyway. Whatever. Now I’m starting to sound like them. Borderline - Uh oh. This is starting to feel like a random jam session. Motor City is Burning - Alright! Now we’re gettin’ fired up. That guitar tone is pretty lethal. I Want You Right Now - Damn, we’re bringing the riffs now. I mean, it’s basically “Wild Thing” but I don’t know which came first and it rips hard enough that I don’t care. Starship - Well. We needed the extended ambient freakout song. It was just a matter of time and how quickly the acid was able to hit. About half an hour sound right to me, and now we’re in a starship piloted by a rhinoceros exploring planets that are made entirely of cotton candy. Finally. I thought I’d hate this and I don’t. I think I’ll hate most things and I’m usually right so it’s a true gut punch that this was good. This was an enjoyable listen albeit a little same-y in places. The overall tone of the band was great, the energy was thrilling and this felt urgent and fresh. The stage patter was meh but I suppose that’s part of the whole charm of live albums. I prefer studio records but this wasn’t a bad day at the office for your humble re-reviewer. Joyous tidings you crazy diamonds. I’m still waiting for MC6 though. and for the guy with the big tooth back to pay me back for that oregano I sold him. 3.5 HIGHLIGHTS: Ramblin’ Rose, I Want You Right Now
They may not be "good" but at least they have passion!
Meh
Not the worst but its a bit noisy at times.
Much like wha was established with British Punk, Punk music needs to come from hostility. The angry masses watching their futures stolen from them by endless war, famine, and an uncaring political party. Sound familiar? We need a punk revolution akin to the late 60s and 70s if not to give the modern times some good music. 3.5/5
99/1001 MC5 - Kick Out the Jams Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ❓ A really fun bit of proto-punk, which obviously influenced a ton of bands later on. It's got a super raw energy that no doubt at the time was exhilarating. One of those where I can appreciate, but not love.
I really liked the intro to the first song. First half of the album was nice. Got weird around I want you right now
This is a solid live album but for a live album to be worth it to me I need the tracks to be significantly better than their studio counterparts and this - while good isn’t. Some live albums are good because the rawness improves the songs, this one doesn’t quite improve it for me. Enjoyable record
I dont think a live album can ever be the best introduction to a band. Their approval by RATM, their energy and their sound were all appealing. But i couldnt decipher much and found it a bit generic. Will try their studio albums.
Thirty minutes of good. 10 minutes of bad
A debut live album? Punk precursor in the late 60s. I like hearing some historical beginnings but the super long guitar solos don't do much for me
Some good energy, but does fall into some of the trappings of late-60s rock with an extended blues jam somewhere in the middle.
Pre-punk? Chaotic and political but in a pretty fun way and definitely feed ahead of its time. Side note - the Presidents of the United States of America do a pretty great cover of kick out the jaws that I don’t know was a cover until I heard this
3.5 If you're listening on spotify, do yourself a favour and listen to the remastered Japan release, its not censored and the sound quality is a lot better. As for the album, its more important for the influence it casts rather than the quality of songwriting or musicianship. I liked the B-sides a bit more than the A-sides, other than the obvious KOTJMF
Energetic.
Raunchy, pretty good guitar work, but ehh overall. I guess a low 3 is where I’d put it.
They call it proto-punk. Seemed more like psych rock and heavy metal to me, but all good. It was a fun listen either way. Didn't hit higher than 3, but glad I heard it. Once.
“Protopunk” seems apt. Kinda sounds like a bunch of coked up rockers accidentally stumbling into something that sort of sounded like music. Still sounds like it would’ve been a fun show, but I don’t think I’d ever come back.
Rock / Psychedelic Rock. Proto Punk, chaotic, craziness. Are the vocals good ? Not really. Can they play guitar great or drum well, keep rhythm etc ? No, not particularly well. However, it just works man ! That Energy. The album sounds like it is ten years too early.
Punky rock
Keiharde rock, maar soms wel wat ergernis. Dit ging echt van 2 naar 4 naar 2 naar 4. Dus ik kom uit op een 3.
Wow. An assault, but how often could you listen to it. 3
3.5
Un band (MC5) que je ne connaissais pas du tout, du tout. Un album (Kick Out the Jams) en concert comme tout premier album, c’est assez inusité. (Et aucun gros hit sur cet album, des fois on ne connais pas vraiment le band, mais on connait au moins un de leur succès.) Sinon, même si la dernière toune est plutôt expérimentale, que le reste de l’album est très compétant et bien ficelé, ce n’est juste pas pour moi.
The sound is jagged and half-drunk. Messy but fun in a chaotic way. Spins: 1 Playlist Additions: - Ramblin' Rose - Kick Out The Jams - Come Together
Live then was so much different than live today. They really didn’t have a plan. It sounds like they showed up to play and what happened happened. I miss that. Good energy. I don’t love live albums, especially on this list, but whatever. I’d rather be there. I doubt I’ll ever revisit this one, but it was fine.
Can't think of any other debut albums that were recorded live but that was actually a smart move as it really captured the power of the band. An album to be played at 11.
Kick Out the Jams is a monster song and Motor City is Burning sounds like a very rough version of something you'd hear on a Hendrix album. And I love many of the bands this influenced. And it is great that the live album captures the insanity and energy of the band. BUT as an album, the quality of the recording just doesn't lend itself to regular repeat listens.
3/4
this was okay, idk what much else to say i didn’t love it
The title track and cover photo collage alone should get this 5 stars. The removal of the "kick out the jams mf..." intro on "Kick out the Jams" on Spotify is a war crime and thereby loses a point. The rest of the album is so-so, losing another.
Is this the first non-jazz debut that's a live album? Interesting choice. Good record, influence probably bigger than contemporary enjoyment i get from hearing it now.
It is possible that the music was groundbreaking at the time and accelerated or anticipated developments. Perhaps this is why the album is rightly on the list, if this is supposed to be a kind of anthology. A performance by such a band at a concert could still be a lot of fun. Beyond that, I found the album difficult to listen to and probably won't do so again. 3/5
So this was Live and I think they were pretty drunk or something. It sounds like it would have been a good time and a fun concert, leading me to a vibe for the band. But I don't think I was able to really listen and connect with their music like you can when it is a little more perfected for an album. I think I could get into them a little more if I had heard it in an album format first.
This has great live energy but I wasn't super into it musically. This album gets credit for starting punk rock but it sounds mostly like 70's heavy blues rock that diverges into noise.
This was a raw and rockin' time. It was a little messy but fun.
Can understand why it's a must listen but this wasn't for me
5.5/10
Live albums may be great when you’re already a fan of the artist and want a tats of what they’re like in person. But they’re a lousy way to introduce yourself to a performer.
• 3/5 • can’t recall ever hear The MC5 before, but I like the album • title track is the highlight and the remainder is a step down but still good blues/rock
I knew of this album but never listened to it....meh it's not great, it has alot of energy but not a great deal or talent, there's a few good songs but it's a 3
Ya lo conocía. Es un disco muy salvaje, muy ebrio. Lamentablemente su escucha no es muy agradable porque está grabado regular. No obstante, merece la pena.
Good live proto punk/garage album.
Kick Out the Jams was a staple of old skate rock CDs, and I tried listening to their other music even back when I thought it was cool, but just couldn't get into it. I think you had to be there.
The music was alright, but I'm generally not a huge fan of live albums.
Cool
Hadn't actually heard the original title track, just the Presidents of the USA cover. And the original hits harder and better for sure.
I've heard of MC5 but never listened to an album. This is an album that should make anyone think "I can play music".
I should love MC5. They are loved by many of my favourite artists. They have just enough chaos in their sound to sit amongst similar artists that I love. Instead I just kinda think they are fine.
2.65
This was not a great sounding record, but that’s not really the point. And while I think others like the Stooges and Velvet Underground were more interesting, I can understand its placement in the proto-punk pantheon due to its unabashed attitude and power. No doubt it became a template for future punk bands.
I thought it was wild to hear this sound from 1969. In some ways felt ahead of their time and gotta think they influenced a lot after. Good listen on Saturday but not sure I remember many specifics on Monday morning.
Funny the big controversy surrounding this album was the use of "motherfucker" on the title track. As if all the other lyrics are totally chill and PC... I'm glad this album exists and can appreciate the raw power and energy. Not something I will listen to on the regular, but can appreciate the impact it had on the punk scene. 3.25/5
Live albums are cool, but I don't think I get the full effect since I haven't heard their other stuff beforehand. Either way this has some great riffs and high energy.
This was a strange one in the fact that I could see how it was influential but it didn’t strike a cord for me. It was fine and seemed intense but I just couldn’t find a way in.
MC5 is more fun to read about than actually listen to. Their little brother band the Stooges are just so much better Rating: 3.3
Very energetic, and quite fun to listen to.
Good but messy
point2.
One of those records that like and get why it's important to punk history but I'm not crazy for. It does belong on this list though.
Great!
Giving this a 3 because I respect how influential they were for the genre. That's definitely clear after giving this a listen. They get no higher score because I don't think the music was that good.
Nice album! 3/5
An album from a band that some say kicked off a musical movement. Ok.
Roots of punk....maybe? But all I hear is raw, blusey rock & roll. I'm not feeling the hype. It's not bad, but it's not great either.
Not a bad album, interesting to listen to and see how this is very much the progenitor of punk, quite ballsy to have your debut album be a live album which definitely helps with the raw aesthetic they were obviously going for
I don’t like live albums but I’m not sure if this is one. They seem too wild for being part of the same time period that the Beatles were putting out Abbey Road.
Two great songs saved on my sixties playlist. This is not an album that I would come back to, but it was a great one time experience.
I get that it's good, and important. But I would have rather just listened to Kick out the Jams 8 times.
Didn’t listen to the whole thing yet. I hadn’t realized Punk was started so early. These guys were the pioneers. Brought back memories.
Kick Out The Jams oli tuttu kappale, oiskohan se jossain GH tai RB? Psykedeelistä rokkia, missä hyvä rähinä fiilis. Tulee vähän sillein Jimi Hendrix mieleen. Wikipedia sanoo, että tää muka proto-punkkia, mutta ei voi olla kun täähän on ihan hyvää. Vähän vaan silti se tartuntapinta uupuu. Parhaat: Kick Out The Jams, Come Together, Motor City Is Burning
jo, älter aber zwischendurch ganz nett
It's an important album, laying the foundations for Heavy Metal AND Punk, and emerged as part of the late sixties counter-culture. There's no denying that. But, it just is not as good an album as its original reputation. As a live recording, it does make MC5 seem a bit amateur-ish and shouty. While their next album, Back In The USA, might have been a bit over-produced, it is much more listenable. Kick Out The Jams does some good parts (Jams, and Rambling Road), but it's a Cultural Five Star, but not a Musical Five Star.
Energía, energía pura y para los sesenta, es un gran logro. Estar en vivo y con esa tecnología de grabación, es excepcional. El ruido, bueno, si, una incomodidad terrible, pero brilla
I love the raw energy and revolutuonary themes, but the music is a bit noisy.
rambunctious
Stripped down garage rock/punk isn't my jam and I generally despise Live albums, but there's a lot of spirit in this concert recording from these grandfathers to punk music, that it's actually not half bad. It's raw, unfiltered, kinda messy sounding, but certainly not unlistenable. I doubt I'll ever come back to it, but I appreciate it for being in this collection.
Whilst my initial impression is that this is a poorly mixed and badly written album, I think it's important to consider context. being a live album and done on a very low budget, the core sounds are quite innovative for the time, with an albeit bad delivery. I can imagine seeing this live was a really fun experience and in a way the bad mixing and impurities work to transport you further into the performance
Mostly good. Loved Kick Out the Jams and Motor City is Burning. Good intensity and solid riffs. Didn't care for Starship though. Started checking the time every minute about halfway through.
There’s no denying the raw, visceral energy of Kick Out the Jams. It grabs you by the collar and yells directly into your face from the first second. The guitars are wild, the drums unhinged, and the vocals often sound like they’re being broadcast through a megaphone with a dying battery. This is proto-punk in its most feral form, and the MC5 clearly meant every sweat-drenched second of it. The infamous opening call to arms doesn’t just set the tone, it is the tone: aggressive, unfiltered, and ready to blow the roof off. But while the energy is undeniable, the listening experience today is… well, mixed. The recording is messy to the point of being chaotic, with instrument separation nearly non-existent. The vocals are often buried or distorted beyond recognition, and several tracks melt into each other like one extended jam session with no sense of restraint. You can hear the passion, but it sometimes feels like you’re stuck at the back of a venue with blown-out speakers and a ringing in your ears. Still, there’s something infectious in its madness. It’s a document of a moment, more than a polished performance. Songs like Ramblin’ Rose and the title track have real fire, and you can see the outline of punk and garage rock to come. But as a whole album, it’s a rough, uneven listen that relies more on its attitude than its execution. Historically vital, sonically shaky. A spirited mess worth experiencing once, even if you don’t revisit it often.
Schon eine sehr mitreißende Energie, auch ein toller Gitarrensound für die Zeit (1969?). Teilweise etwas lärmig und den Gesang finde ich aufs erste Ohr auch nicht meega gut, aber das kann man schon gut hören.
Enjoyable enough
Pretty solid album, just not refined enough yet to be as solid as the later stuff in the punk rock era
Pretty fun listen, but I don't think I will be re-visiting this one any time soon.
Really dug this one. It was 4 stars till the last song. 😬
i want you right now creeped me out, but otherwise it's a solid three stars
The last song was great
I think this is one of those albums that's more important than it is good. The title track, Rocket Reducer, and Starship all rip, but some of the in between songs don't stick around after you're done listening. The rawness and urgency of the record is what makes it memorable.
Mediocre.
I really thought I enjoyed this more. Hadn’t listened in a long time and while I appreciate the messiness and passion, something just wasn’t clicking and it could be the live album aspect, live albums are tough for me. It’s good I just don’t have the same love that others do for it. 3 stars
Listened to this album a long time ago and hated it. Gained new appreciation this time. Is it a muddled mess, absolutely, but I feel that I can hear a social movement starting in it. I can never knock someone for going onstage and having the time of their life.
This was a fun one. Love the sound they were going for. Still only a strong 3 because there's no standout track on it. I only love the sound, not any specific track.
Rambling Rose is a scorcher, but overall this is more of a "you had to be there/snapshot in history" type of release. Chaotic, with pure punk energy. Not an easy listen.
Hop on your Starship and give this one a listen.
Cream meets The Clash. Un álbum que marca la transición entre la psicodelia con temática de paz y amor de los 60, y el punk de los 70 con su agresividad cruda. Un álbum mal producido y disonante, pero llenísimo de energía y pasión, y que deja entrever lo que iba a venir más adelante. Un clásico que combina blues, rock'n'roll y proto-punk, al que no puedo menos que darle una buena nota a pesar de sus defectos.
Meh
Kick Out the Classic Rock right back into your heart where it always once was.
An interesting listen - what Jack Black would like to have been
History, fine I guess.
ok
Rating: 3.5/5 | Favorite Track: Kick Out the Jams (Live) --- Ramblin' Rose and Kick Out the Jams are both great songs, but the rest of the album is a little too noisy and unfocused for me to really love. There are better proto-punk albums and much better live albums than this.
Classic Kick Ass!
Some of this was really bad. The singer isn't great. But it is an interesting early punk album that had a few moments. Almost gave it a 2.
live albums are usually not great and live punk albuns manage to be worse. Really had a hard time deciphering lyrics and hearing through the wall of noise, although maybe its more about evoking a feeling. My feeling is that its too messy, and not good. Not the worst, definitely full of energy and they go hard and some of the songs are a little catchy Rocket Reducer No. 62 was pretty good.
Fun album. I've probably listened to it once or twice before. Really captures the live energy.
Surprising proto-punk / garage-rock. Good guitar playing and blues-feel on "Motor City Is Burning" 3/5
Their introduction reeled me in immediately. The energy, the solidarity, the message, wow! I was blown away. Reading into MC5 and learning that they were likely the pioneers of the early American punk rock scene in the late 60s and 70s made a lot of sense as I listened to the album. Also reading that they were heavily influenced by R&B and blues made a lot of sense with some of their bluesy, jazzy riffs especially in “Motor City Burning”. I also loved the lead singers voice over the instrumentals. Very cohesive and energizing live show performance. “I Want You Now” gives me elements of King Crimson’s “21st Century Schizoid Man” This album makes me want to jump high and low, head bang and rock out! I can only imagine the energy felt by the audience at the show. I preferred listening to the Japanese Remastered version rather than the version recommend by the generator. I found it to be a cleaner crisper sound and I could hear things more clearly but based off this edition alone it was very well done. Lyrically there doesn’t seem to be anything deep going on, but it just feels like a great time. Angsty and revolutionary from the sound alone! Favourites included “Rambling Rose”, “Kick Out the Jams”, “Rocket Reducer No. 62”, and “Motor City Burning”.
Wow, what fun! I’d heard of MC5 as a proto-punk band, I didn’t know they were *this* early. Some straight-up thrash punk from 1968. What a refreshing and exciting sound for that era. They also draw from soul, rock, even some prog. I enjoyed.
Pretty energetic rock, can imagine this was fun live. Feels a bit like a predecessor to Motörhead. It gets a bit monotonous after a while, but is still a decent listen. Not much more to say.
A live album that really benefited from being a live album. The energy and the audience are what this album is having going for it. The musicianship takes a backseat, and the lyrics are not the greatest to say the least.
Not much that stands out. Theres some interesting parts and I like the sound. Maybe I should give it another listen in the future.
2.5/5. This is fine, not something I'll want to listen to again. The overall sound can be enjoyable at times.
i thought this was pretty good. i love rock so much, i cannot stress how beautiful sounding it is. i do wish, though, that rob’s voice was more prominent because he has a very unique and distinct voice, but sometimes the music drowns it out. i kind of want to listen to more by this group. i think i would really like their other songs as well. also, not sure when i would listen to this album again besides my favorites—maybe when i am in a rebellious mood. my favorites were “kick out the jams,” “rocket reducer no. 62 - talk,” “motor city is burning,” “i want you right now,” and “starship,” with my #1 favorite being “borderline.” oh my goodness, that is such a good song. i will definitely replay that one for sure. i am a big fan of the 60s, so that kind of made me like it more naturally, but it was a killer album. 🖤🎸
Appealing at times but not really very good - tolerable rock.
Pink blues
Bangers from proto punk band MC5.
A great noise, showcasing a vital band at their best. The album is strongest when it follows the actual flow of a gig in the second half, as it builds to a feedback-fuelled freak-out of a finale! Favourite tracks: Ramblin Rose, Kick Out The Jams, Motor City Is Burning
[3.5]
I salute this but don't really like it very much. Also, seems like the censored version is the one that made it to the streaming era...is nothing sacred anymore?!?
Live albums do not do it for me, so as an album this feels a little jarring. But no one can deny the influence of MC5 on the next generation of punks and for that I will be forever grateful (and so sad to not be at this actual show).
Nothing more than fine
Definitely seems like an album before its time. Very erratic though , some songs had no impact and others were pretty okay. My highlight was Let me try!
yeah, i don't know. i've always thought this was overrated. i enjoyed it more today—it has some magical moments—but in general, it's a bit too sloppy and too flower-powery for my tastes. i dig that they were making a ton of punk-adjacent noise back when that was groundbreaking. but others did it better.
I did try to kick out the MC5 jams but just couldn't make it happen. I can appreciate them from a historical context...ahead-of-their-time psychedelic punk noise.
When I read "proto-punk" I already lost all interest, but I was pleasantly surprised.
good history of punk right here. highlights include: "Kick Out the Jams" "Motor City Is Burning" "I Want You Right Now"
Clearly a cult classic but I imagine they were better live.
Sound quality just didn’t cut it. Some good noise but got really weird at the end. Light 3.
Pretty harsh sounding partially due to the recording quality and partly due to band’s dense, early proto punk sound. Aggressive and opinionated. Guitars are great but the muddy mix makes it hard to tell.
pretty sweet statement for your debut album to be a live album it’s high energy and fun gets a bit repetitive to me though
Typical 60’s Brit rock
2.5 honestly
3.5
Cool energy, like the more. Psych parts better than the punk parts. 3.5 stars
I think it's a good album, but I think the songwriting does drop off quite a bit after the title track, which I love. High 3.5.
3.5
Pretty cool. Energy levels in this are something else. Would have been wild to hear this back in 1969. Not too many memorable songs though out of the iconic title track and vocalist kinda sucks. It really is just a massive spoolage of messy shouty metally trippy proto punky rock that gets incredibly ragged by the end. An uneven classic that’s streaked with greatness and also crapness. More like MC3.5.
Noisy, energetic and poorly recorded protopunk is not without its charm. I'll give it a 3 even though there were some rough moments.
A lot of energy and overall very enjoyable. It definitely has that live concert, rough-around-the-edges feel to it.
Vibey
Got me kinda hyped
Kind of a hard rock/punk mixture. Not bad and probably influential, but I didn’t love it
3.5 I rock with it
I definitely started to like it more as the album went on but still not my favorite style. 2.5/5
messy, dirty and raw, proto-punk band that does justice to being a proto-punk band. always amazing and interesting to see the emergence and birth of new genres! 3.5/5
Never listened to this album before outside of the title track. It was fun to read about the label/media frenzy over the notorious KICK OUT THE JAMS, MOTHERFUCKER. This was about what I was expecting, lots of high energy rockers. I was surprised by the weirdo last track, "Starship".
I thought he was singing “Chicken Street” instead of “Shakin”. It addd to the experience. Grungy aggressive rock n roll in the name of resistance.
-this was a pretty fun listen, if not necessarily my first choice in music. I can really hear the primitive punk rock roots -I’m surprised I haven’t heard of them before actually because Kick Out The Jams is a great song and apparently pretty widely covered by other musicians -Favorites are Kick Out The Jams and Motor City Is Burning
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: it was fine.
Strange, strange album. A debut live album with punk energy far beyond its' time and psychedelic jamming placing it firmly in the late 60s.
This couldn’t possibly have been produced in a studio at the time - obviously needed to be a live album. MC5 was really ahead of their time and while I’m not really down with all of their choices I’m always ready to kick out the jams, motherfuckers!
This was a pretty cool live album, they were jamming and screaming like they enjoyed themselves. Stand-out: Ramblin' Rose
Side One: Kick Out Side Two: the jams
The sound quality isn't the best, so this isn't getting 5 stars from me. It sounds like a prototype of Kiss, a band I never really liked that much. Some of it was great, but a lot of it was just a mess. I'm going with 3 stars.
I thought it was okay. Was a solid live album but didn’t think it was all that good. Should really be 2 stars but they were sounded like a solid live band and had some good Hendrix vibes which bought them up a Star
Not my fave
Solid
Meh
This guys rock pretty hard! Uncompromising on volume as well as sound.
they sure did kick them out
MC5 is cool. Very Detroit. It was cool to hear a live show, but I still don't think live albums should be included on the list.
I admire their energy, and how much punk it sounds, especially considering it was recorded no later than 1968. But the music itself isn't great or any way interesting. So extra point for doing something that was ahead of its time but otherwise it is not something I would want to listen to again.
Vaikka kaikki biisit eivät ole huippuja (jokunen on), topografisesti tämä on pelkkää huippua. Erityismaininta: oudoin tuntemani falsettivokaali, Ramblin' Rose.
Noisy, raw and energetic but I'd have to be in the right mood to enjoy it.
Every time something by MC5 comes up, I get fooled into thinking it's going to be hip hop. It's not. Standard shouty post punk stuff. Neither bad nor good in my opinion.
Anecdotally, recorded live as "no studio would have been capable of capturing [MC5's] sheer energy, excitement, and danger". Unfortunately the audio quality dampens most of that energy. Like most of the "live" albums on the 1001 list, I guess you had to be there.
# Album Name: Kick Out The Jams (Live) # Artist: MC5 # Rating: 3/5 # Comments: Was just alright. Lots of energy and drive. Could be a different story seeing them lives. Kick out the Jams was the stand out for me. Nothing else came close. # Top Tunes: Kick out the Jams # Would I listen to it again? No
It was alright
I like the energy and the groove to some of the tunes - unfortunately the sound recording is pretty pants and it sort flattens the experience. If you were there I'm sure it would be a 5 but not sure I will return much.
3.5/5
Enjoyed this in the main. 3*
Fine, but not for me
This was really good, but I feel like somehow I missed the boat on it because even though I know who they are this album made me feel like I had literally never heard any of their music?
raw, exciting, forerunner of punk/garage, but not a great recording
Not all that
I've said it before, live albums rarely do it for me. Yet it makes so much sense for the debut album of the MC5 to be a live album. What is less obvious is how an album like this peaked at #30 on the Billboard 200. Even by today's standards, this sound is pretty abrasive, and the band's overtly political views were far from mainstream at the time. MC5 channelled anti-establishment, anti-capitalist, and pro-revolutionary ideals through their raw energy. The album’s defiance is both explicit, as in "Motor City Is Burning," which critiques police brutality during the Detroit riots, and implicit, with the incendiary chant “Kick out the jams, motherfuckers!” serving as a broader call to action against societal constraints. Rather than offering detailed political manifestos, the band conveys a visceral urgency to reject oppression and inspire communal resistance, making the album a sonic manifesto of revolution and liberation. While not overly sophisticated or intricate, the songs channel a primal, unfiltered power that perfectly complements their revolutionary ethos. Songs like the title track and "Rocket Reducer No. 62" are built around simple, repetitive riffs and relentless grooves, emphasizing immediacy and intensity over complexity. The lyrics often oscillate between rallying cries of rebellion and countercultural anthems, with tracks like "Motor City Is Burning" blending social commentary with blues influences. The songwriting prioritizes impact and atmosphere, capturing the chaotic spirit of their live performances and the urgency of their political message. While Kick Out the Jams is undeniably a landmark album, its chaotic sound and production can be seen as a double-edged sword. When it works, it’s raw, visceral, and deeply rooted in the band’s explosive live energy. However, as the album progresses, it begins to sound more unfocused and sloppy, with the lacklustre "Borderline" and "I Want You Right Now" contributing to a noticeable dip in quality. These tracks feel meandering and repetitive, with the energy flagging and the excitement dissipating after the initial intensity. The extended fuzz-drenched outro of "Starship" might have been thrilling in the moment for the live audience, but on record, it can come across as excessive and indulgent, undermining the album's initial relentless pace. While this rawness and excess may well be the embodiment of the punk rock spirit, the lack of refinement and the stretched-out jams make it an uneasy listen in places. I love this for what it represents but musically I found it tough. Did/Do I own this release? No Does this release belong on the list? No Would this release make my personal list? While there is no denying the historic significance of this album and the MC5, this shit is too abrasive for me. Will I be listening to it again? If I ever become a professional UFC fighter, this would be my pump-up music! Fortunately, that is highly unlikely.
No. 299/1001 Ramblin' Rose 2/5 Kick Out the Jams 4/5 Come Together 3/5 Rocket Reducer No. 62 3/5 Borderline 3/5 Motor City is Burning 3/5 I Want You Right Now 3/5 Starship 2/5 Average: 2,88 Not my favorite listen. But you have to admire that they were ahead of their time and the rawness of this record.
November 27, 2024 HL: "Starship", "Borderline", “Rocket Reducer No. 62” They said 'motherfucker', thusly this is an important album 1001 stars out of 5
This is tough because I'm reviewing this as an album. I think if I was at this show it would be an easy 5/5. The energy is clearly wild and you can feel the passion. Especially for when it was made it must have been unreal. Musically it's tight but the recording isn't carrying that through overly well. A good listen and should be on the list but held back by not being there.
crazy energy for a 60s rock album, i can see how influential this must've been. i dont know if i like this album or not if im being real
Knap så legendarisk som jeg syntes da jeg købte den for 30 kr i stereo studio i Esbjerg, men stadig et solidt protopunk album. Ville være 1/5 hvis det var et studiealbum, men jeg synes virkelig den fanger følelsen af at være til en rowdy undergrundskoncert og energien i første halvdel er off the charts
Great energy at least for the first half
This is a mess, but kinda fun? 2.8.
Damn this is from 1969??
I have no idea what is going on, but I do like it. Standout tracks: - Rocket reducer no. 62 - talk (the guitars in this are chef's kiss (4/5)
3.5/5
Why haven't I heard of this band before? I guess it's because this stuff isn't really hit material. It's a bit uneven, there's nothing too deep and the sound quality is pretty bad but I kind of enjoyed it and would give it another listen. 2.75/5
Enjoyed it
Better than many reviews credit, but low production quality make it a hard listen.
Its like the who mixed with the kinks and the monkees. It was cool hearing Kick out the Jams originally thinking it was a RATM song and not a cover.
I've heard Kick Out the Jams many times, but never listened to the whole album. The energy is great, the story is fun to read and the album has solid historical significance, but the music itself... meh.
Sure, I can dig this. Abrasive, raw and, yes, in some ways, not very good. But there's something there that helps it rattle along. Probably not going to come back to it so often, but can now nod sagely and make reference to how influential they would prove to be.
Awful ballsy to debut with a live album. Jam band energy, makes sense why after a listen. I'm sure it was a fun show to be at, and was a fine listen but nothing outstanding as an album. Singer felt a little cultural appropriation-ey too.
MC5 was a garage rock band with leftist leanings and often get credited with being an early originator of punk rock. this live album not only showcases their sheer power, but you can feel the energy of their live show through the speakers. highlights: “ramblin’ rose” “kick out the jams” “motor city is burning”
Started strong, whimpered out.
If this came out later it wouldn't really be that impressive but since it came out in 1969 it is a little ahead of the time. That being said, the album is pretty boring and I don't care for it.
Heard this one before a few times over the years. I'm generally not a live album fan, so it's cool to see a band who chose live albums as their main format, and it does capture a sense of raw urgency. I like the energetic rock sound. I can appreciate how this music would have felt like revolutionary counterculture if you were there in the audience at the time. But in hindsight, a large part of this just "oooh baby baby I want you right now, I'm the man for you, ramalamalama". You have to fairly invested in the mythology of rock music to still see this as revolutionary. Enjoyable record though. 3.5*
Not bad stuff. Nothing really standout though. Simpsons: Don’t think so
Nice and short and alright. Some good vibes for a Sunday morning, but nothing that memorable.
MC5 live not great. Just a noisy mess for me.
It’s ok
Kick out the jams was alright, but not really my jam. Still good enough for 3 stars though.
eh
Rough around the edges and filled with energy.
Eeeeeh I don't know about this one. Super influential. But not that exciting to me. Some good proto punk sure. But. Eeeeeh.
I imagine this would've been amazing live. A bit repetitive and abrasive in a way I don't love but I can definitely see the appeal. I Want You Right Now was amazing. Very sexy and explosive. The rest I found a bit harder to get into. Probably won't revisit but I can imagine the magic in person. 3.5
Good live album, got a little too heavy/punky for me toward the end
Okay album, just noisy and not properly recorded, is what I think. But, the songs and beats are outstanding!
Schräg, laut, intensiv,
One finds it pretty easy to admire (and even enjoy in doses) the fury and thrashing and passion without taking it seriously in any way. And not in the least is one surprised that it didn't last, despite the authenticity of the rawness (which seems awfully close to talentlessness at time, though "Human Being Lawnmower" suggests how they might have grown had they got past the commitment to chaos). Today, it seems almost quaint, the massive overrating of this lot; their contemporary appeal would have to be nostalgia-aided. The best bits would be the insistently spiky guitars on, among other tracks, "Looking at You." But any record with "Shakin' Street" would be compromised in terms of putting forth anything like political subversion or meaningfully directed rage. One's also confident it must have been quite cool to see in person all those years ago; in other words, they shoulda named their live album what Jimmy Buffett named his.
New headphones, new me. I have decided that I will like this album. Yeah, nah. It's honestly not bad, just a bit basic.
a bit intense
Not a bad rock album but nothing really stands out to me.
My god the falsetto in the opening track. Didn't know a punk band could do that. I don't like it. Other than that, thought it was a nice, dirty, punk offering. Could have done without the spacy interlude of Starship.
No amount of drugs will ever get me to listen to this again
Never heard of these but a good sound with lots of energy. (Same review I wrote for yesterday’s)
Oh man, the hype at the beginning got me pumped and then he started singing… The rest of the album recovered and was pretty decent
Wee bit meandering for me.. kinda cool. Cool cover.
Good energy and a fun live recording but not incredibly memorable to me
First of all, as I've already stressed in my previous reviews, I do not like live albums. I'll happily take the polished studio version, pretty please. Second, I don't get the message of this album. They were promising 'revolution' with the opening track, meanwhile most of what followed was various testimonies about their sex lives... which is fine, I guess, but it left me a bit confused. Third, I don't really understand why this album is supposedly groundbreaking. It's a decent, high energy rock album, but not much more for me.
Some nice guitar riffs.
fnord