MC5 & the Ultimate Garage Rock Collection

iTunes Review

While garage-rock comps tend to focus on mop-topped scamps from the ‘60s who ran around shaking maracas, blowing harmonicas, pounding Farfisa organs, stepping on fuzz-boxes and playing rock ‘n’ roll built on a Beatles or Stones template, it’s refreshing to find that someone assembled a collection that also includes the harder, louder and more dangerous side to bygone garage rock. MC5 & the Ultimate Garage Rock Collection boasts a whopping 101 songs starting with the original uncensored 1968 live recorded version the MC5’s revolutionary anthem “Kick Out the Jams.” A rare live version of Blue Cheer covering Eddie Cochran’s “Summertime Blues” is a welcome standout — especially for those who never had the pleasure to experience the jet engine loudness of Blue Cheer in person. The Stooges’ hard-driving, proto-punk boogie “Tight Pants” proves that teenage trouser fashion is indeed cyclical, while Michael Davis provides an even heavier rendition of the Fab Four’s heavy “Helter Skelter.” Those who favor pointy boots and striped pants need look no further than Tree’s “No Good Woman.”