MC5 - Anthology 1965-1971

Grab-bag of mixes, obscure curios and live assaults

The MC5 plugged into rock’n’roll’s original spirit, turned rebellion into revolution then hotwired it to nuclear intensity. Their tumultuous majesty is once more captured in all its glory in this 2-CD box set from the LA-based Cleopatra label, which basically strips down Easy Action’s lavishly-presented 6-CD set from 2004 (which the surviving Motor City Three also compiled), adding titbits such as the other wah-wah nightmare of Gold, recorded in 1971 for a movie directed by Radio Caroline’s Ronan O’Rahilly.

Their second album, Back In The USA, was criticised at the time for losing much of MC5’s raw power, but Kramer’s “audio preparation and digital remastering” gives the alternative mixes of tracks such as Tonight extra bollocks. Of particular interest is the 1967 garage-thrash of One Of The Guys, their first studio recording, and the volcanic original A-Square single version of Looking At You. Gotta Keep Moving from the High Times sessions could rank as their raging high-energy peak, while it’s fun hearing Lemmy singing Sister Anne with the trio at the 100 Club in 2003. The box boasts a Michael Davis white panther painting plus badge, sticker and new narrative from Davis and Dennis Thompson. Despite the repetition, still attractive for 5ive disciples.

Cleopatra | CLP 2362 (2-CD)

Reviewed by Kris Needs
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