Back In the USA

I wasn't really planning on writing a review, but I read the one by that guy preaching about how the MC5 were rubbish and thought I'd have my say. The dude who wrote that review ranked this badly because of the critical hype surrounding it and then acted as if someone can't like this and other artists at the same time. That's very narrow-minded to assume that people have to ignore some music to like another set as I personally love Kind of Blue and Joe's Garage Pt 1 and II. BUT ON TO THE ALBUM: I am not a big MC5 fan, I don't like their first album aside from kick out the jams and I've never listened to their third album, but Back in the U.S.A. is killer for anyone that likes straight forward 60's rock. It's tight, the solos work really well, and the lyrics reflect youthful and exuberant subject matter. One thing I admire most is that the album just has a constant feel and sound to it. Some albums have singles that are great and then the album goes a totally different direction, but this one stays true the whole way through. It's a consistent work and that's admirable considering that it came during the hit and miss psychedelic period in rock. Personal Faves: Looking at You, High School

WOW Just an example of what raw rock music was like back in the "day" Bring back the garage bands please.......

The funny thing about people that claim to be MC5 fans is that you rarely see them actually LISTENING to the records.They're like Dead fans that way. People feel like they need to listen to this silly crap because old fogey critics pining away for they're youth in the 60's say it's "The Real Thing." Rubbish.This record exposes the fact that that the 5 were nothing but a bunch of psuedo-intellectual blowhards,buying drugs w/ Electra's $$$ and taking advantage of the times.What a crock.Anyone w/ the sense of a 4 year old can see that this is sold to a certain market.Instead of listening to a bunch of old irrelevant men,listen to something w/ substance,something REALLY punk.Miles Davis,Frank Zappa,Jimi Hendrix,not the Stooges or MC5.It's phony.Even Led Zeppelin is more socially relevant than this.The "critics" know this and let it seep in with the rest of their self loathing.ANd if you don't want to listen to Hendrix or Miles,don't listen to ME either. FInd something new and leave these fakes where they belong. 3/4s dead from too many binges.

Kick out the Jams is my favorite, but Back in the USA has some of the best rock n roll covers ever. Blare this album and get ready to ROCK ON!!!

Their debut album "Kick out the Jams" got a lot of press and controversy in it's time (including a Rolling Stone cover article) but the second record was mostly ignored and charted low which is a pity because this album f*n rocks. More trad rock n roll than Kick out the Jams's proto-punk/proto-metal/proto-noise but still excellent. Includes stone classics like Tonight, High School, Lookin at You, Call Me Animal and is framed by covers of then unfashionable songs by Little Richard and Chuck Berry. Check this record out! Essential!

hey where is...Sonic Rendezvous Band...with the late great Fred Smith??? Fred Smith was at the core of the MC5, kickin' out the jams on guitar!!!!

One of the Best Rock N Roll Records of all time. I've been listening to it for over 25 years and it still knocks me out! The greatest guitar solos ever put to vinyl. One of the bands that influenced the origins of the Punk Rock movement. This band kicks serious A*#!!!

If you're not a devout fan already this is probably the album to get. I do think Kick Out The Jams is better overall but if you want to get a taste of what the MC5 were all about this is the album to get. It's their most straight ahead rock & roll album and as such definitely anticipated Pub Rock and Punk.