The Classic Metal Album Reviews:
Title: Kick Out the Jams
Artist: MC5
Label: Elektra
Release Date: 1969

Rating: 3 Skulls
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    • Reviewed by Solomon:
    Well, this is a "classic" column, so I guess we should go WAY back once in a while and check out those bands who preceeded metal and affected it one way or another. MC5 was a heavier, late-60's rock band that was a primer for metal and punk. Actually, upon listening to the raucous noise that is Kick Out The Jams, I'd have to say the punk element is more prevalent than the metal one. While Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin were heavy and had considerable chops to boot, MC5 was more of a blunt instrument, loudly bashing out chords and making strange noises along the way.

    Kick Out The Jams was recorded live at a concert in Detroit in October 1968, and to use the word "raw" would be an understatement. Much of the album is centered around primal rock, stripped down and bad to the bone. The droning groove of the title track has the most appeal, while noisy sludge like "Borderline" and "Rocket Reducer No.62 (Rama Lama Fa Fa Fa)" makes you wonder how much acid these dudes dropped before hitting the stage. Then there are songs like "Ramblin' Rose" and the great, hard blues of "Motor City Is Burning" to let you know they can actually play real music. "I Want You Right Now" features some cool, dynamic, loud/soft vocal counterpoint half-way through the song, and "Starship" is just a big, long, interstellar mindtrip that can only be appreciated while under the influence of something illegal and relatively expensive. Although, I kind of enjoyed the ride without narcotics, thank you.

    This was a fairly experimental (emphasis on "mental") record for me, as I rarely dip this far back before my birth for listening projects, but given the band's underground infamy and relative importance to the development of metal, Kick Out The Jams was something unique to try. I can't say this will stay in my player long, but this is a piece of history that has its moments.
    3 out of 5

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