MC5 “Kick Out The Jams” (1969)

China's Cultural Revolution didn't quite negate the artistry of PHASES OF THE MOON. Conversely, did America's radical moment in 1968 help transform the MC5's debut into art rather than merely a bustling document of those heady times. Of all the proto punks -- the Stooges, Modern Lovers, New York Dolls, even Big Star -- I have to confess that the MC5 had the least impact on me, although, in retrospect, they were the best live band of the bunch, and made up in sheer playing prowess what they might have lacked in the songwriting department-- at least on KICK OUT THE JAMS. The well-crafted tunes came later, on BACK IN THE USA, whose amateur production by critic Jon Landau unfortunately made the group sound "small." These guys just couldn't catch a break but their stature only grows as the times go by. –Singer Saints