February 4, 2014

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
MC5...Kick Out The Jams  (1969)
Kick Out The Jams was released 45 years ago in February 1969. It reached number 30 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  Label – Elektra
Producer – Bruce Botnick and Jac Holzman
Art Direction – William S. Harvey
Nationality – USA
Running Time – 36:17

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Ramblin' Rose
2. Kick Out The Jams
3. Come Together
4. Rocket Reducer No 62
5. Borderline
6. Motor City Is Burning
7. I Want You Right Now
8. Starship

“Kick Out the Jams” is the debut album by Detroit’s MC5. The decision was made that a studio record could not adequately capture their sound and energy, so it was recorded live at Detroit's Grande Ballroom over two nights of Halloween 1968.
This is in all actually a tedious record to listen to. First of all Brother J.C. Crawford's rambling introductions while entertaining to a point, get old quickly and Rob Tyner's ‘singing’ voice has a lot to be desired. Their material also isn’t that great and the playing is ragged, many times out of tune and really rough. That said, this record is more about attitude and power – easily ranks up there as likely the most energetic live album ever made, refuses to be played quietly and simply MUST be heard.
There is of course the classic "Kick Out the Jams" with the controversial opening “kick out the jams mother f%$kers” that garnered most of the attention upon release, and actually cause the record to be banned from many retail stores, and eventually led to the band being dropped by Elektra records. This track is their lasting statement, and has inspired a ton of cover versions over the years. (Blue Öyster Cult’s version on their 1978 live album ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ comes immediately to mind).
The LP peaked at #30 on the Billboard album charts and an edited version of the title track peaking at #82 in the Hot 100. In 2003, the album was ranked number 294 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. (Funnily enough, original Rolling Stone legendary reviewer Lester Bangs didn’t like the record at all calling it "ridiculous, overbearing, and pretentious") In March 2005, Q magazine placed the song "Kick Out the Jams" at number 39 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks. The same track was named the 65th-best hard rock song of all time by VH1.
It is recommended – with caution.
(vinyl, CD, Allmusic review)

 ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 4
John Steel from The Animals is 73; Alice Cooper is 66; Phil Ehart from Kansas is 64; Henry Bogdan, formerly with Helmet, is 53; Noodles from The Offspring is 51; Rick Burch of Jimmy Eat World is 39;

ON THIS DATE
1968 The Beatles record "Across The Universe"
1977 Rumours by Fleetwood Mac is released
1997 Ixnay On The Hombre by the Offspring is released
2004 The Veterans of Foreign Wars' commander-in-chief criticizes Kid Rock's "disgusting use of an American flag as a costume prop" during the Super Bowl XXXVIII Halftime Show. Rock wore a poncho fashioned out of a flag during his performance, then threw it into the audience
2005 It is announced that Puddle Of Mudd drummer Greg Upchurch has replaced Daniel Adair in 3 Doors Down who left to join Nickelback
2006 Tommy Lee gets beat up. The Motley Crue drummer is assaulted in Detroit for insulting Kid Rock, who is from Detroit. Rock had been engaged to Pamela Anderson, Lee's former wife
2007 Billy Joel sang the National Anthem just before the Super Bowl
2014 Reg Presley of the Troggs dies in  Andover, Hampshire, England from lung cancer.  Presley was 71