Tag: Detroit rock

Rewind Review: The Dirtbombs – If You Don’t Already Have a Look (2005)

In the liner notes to this excellent double album from Detroit rockers the Dirtbombs, band leader / guitarist / vocalist Mick Collins proclaims, “The best albums are all compilations, anyway.  Why?  Because they’re made up of SINGLES, duh.”

If You Don’t Already Have a Look is a full-length collection of downright dangerous singles and another disc of cover tunes.  Danger is missing from a lot of rock music nowadays, and the Dirtbombs were possibly the most dangerous band to come out of the Motor City since the MC5.  Even their songs that venture into soul and pop music always have a streak of menace hidden in them.

There are many standouts on the album.  The opener on the disc of originals is “Theme from the Dirtbombs,” a fiery song that sounds like it belongs in the opening credits of a 1960’s car race cartoon.  “The Sharpest Claws” is a theme song for dominatrixes everywhere.  “I’m Saving Myself for Nichelle Nichols (No. 3)” is one of the craziest punk rock songs in the last twenty years.  “High Octane Salvation” is an homage to muscle cars and sprinkles in some psychobilly riffs for good measure.  “Little Miss Chocolate Syrup” has a bass groove as sweet as the song’s namesake.

“Don’t Bogue My High” was, like many early Dirtbombs tracks, recorded into a dictation microphone.  It is thus gloriously distorted and trashy.  “Encrypted” is a satire of 1990’s Britpop.  “Broke in Detroit (Again)” has this cool 60’s surf guitar riff you can’t shake.  “Infra-red” is a weird, shapeshifting track with guitars that ooze around like the Blob and “Candyass” is a solid rock track.  The lyrics of “All My Friends Must Be Punished” are some of the wittiest on the record.  “They Saved Einstein’s Brain” is a one-take punk rock classic.

The disc of cover songs includes great tracks by obscure bands like Cheater Slicks (“Possession”) and classics like Stevie Wonder‘s “Maybe Your Baby.”  Their cover of the Rolling Stones‘ “No Expectations” includes a Beatles tribute and a salute to the Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil.”  “Noise in This World” (originally by English Beat) fits in perfectly with the Dirtbombs’ sound, as does their fiery, almost unrecognizable cover of Soft Cell‘s “Insecure…Me?”  “Tanzen Gehn” is a song in German made for a German label while the band was in Germany.  It’s wonderfully funky.  “Crash Down Day” was written by a six-year-old and is still better than most current rock tracks.  Their cover of the Bee Gees “I Started a Joke” is one of the coolest Bee Gees covers ever (especially with the reverbed vocals).

It’s a great introduction to the Dirtbombs or an addition to your collection of your  material.

Keep your mind open.

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Rewind Review: The MC5 – The Big Bang! Best of the MC5 (2000)

I once read a YouTube comment on a video of the MC5 (Michael Davis – bass and vocals, Wayne Kramer – guitar, piano, bass, vocals, Fred Smith – guitar, organ, harmonica, vocals, Dennis Thompson – drums, percussion, vocals, Rob Tyner – lead vocals, harmonica, percussion) in concert that said going to one of their shows was akin to an act of defiance. The MC5 embraced a punk rock political ethic before anyone knew what punk rock was, and their angry, wall-flattening sound and blatant references to sex, drugs, and sticking it to the Man were shocking at the time. The Big Bang! The Best of the MC5 is a great collection from Rhino Records that documents the band’s growth from garage rockers to Midwest rock giants who wouldn’t get their full due in other parts of the country until well after they called it quits.

Opening with one of their earliest singles, “I Can Only Give You Everything,” you can hear the band creating the raucous sound that would become their trademark. Wayne Kramer’s guitar riffs influenced everyone from the Smithereens to Nirvana. “Looking at You” is so fuzzy and frenetic that I’m sure Ty Segall plays it every night before he goes to bed. Kramer’s guitars on it are like something from a horror movie score. “I Just Don’t Know” is sweaty, dirty blues with thumping bass from Davis and Kramer’s guitars attacking you from all directions.

The next four tracks are from the band’s debut album, Kick Out the Jams, which was a live recording no less. “Ramblin’ Rose” begins with a testimonial call to arms by a friend of the band, Brother J.C. Crawford (“I wanna hear some revolution out there! Brothers and sisters, the time has come for each and every one of you to decide if you are going to be the problem or you are going to be the solution!”), before the MC5 make you feel like that guy in the chair from the Memorex ad and Kramer (who takes a turn at lead vocals) sings to the rafters. Their biggest hit, “Kick Out the Jams,” follows. It is so powerful that it feels like it might open a rift in space-time and pull you back to Halloween 1968 in Detroit when they recorded it. “Come Together” is a cheeky song about sex in which Tyner pretty much details getting off with his lady. “Rocket Reducer No. 62 (Rama Lama Fa Fa Fa)” is almost relentless as it hits with heavy grooves and chanting vocals.

The next eight tracks are from their second album, Back in the U.S.A. “Tonight” calls for kids to “get together and have a ball” and reveals the band’s love of blues (especially in Davis’ bass). “Teenage Lust” calls to every one of their fans; as does “High School” (“Kids want a little action, kids want a little fun.”), which most likely inspired a good chunk of the Ramones’ catalogue. “Call Me Animal” has some of Thompson’s best drumming. The whole song has a beat you can’t shake. “The American Ruse” is a great example of the MC5’s political leanings (“They told you in school about freedom, but when you try to be free they don’t let ya.”). Tyner’s lyrics are scathing and still hold weight today. “Shakin’ Street” is another salute to American youth, this time with Smith on lead vocals. The title of “The Human Being Lawnmower” made it too risqué for much radio play, which is a shame because it’s a crazy, near-psychedelic freak-out of a tune. The title track to the album is a cover of the Chuck Berry classic. The MC5 worshipped at Berry’s altar, and they do him great homage.

The next five tracks are from High Time, starting with the powerful “Sister Anne” – a song about a tough, foxy nun (and listen to that harmonica solo!). “Baby Won’t Ya” brings a bit of soul to the MC5’s heavy rock as Tyner sings about a familiar subject – wanting sex – and Kramer sizzles on guitar. “Miss X” starts with simple piano chords, but then the guitars stroll into the room like professional hitmen and the song takes on a sinister edge for the next five minutes as Tyner sings a ballad, believe it or not. “Over and Over” is another biting rant not only at politicians, but also at people who only give lip service to revolutionary action. Tyner goes for broke on it, his voice nearly cracking multiple times throughout the track. “Skunk (Sonically Speaking)” brings in a full horn section, adding a wild funk the band was exploring just before they split up for good.

The compilation ends, wisely, with another live track – “Thunder Express.” It’s a great jam with Kramer making it sound easy on guitar and Thompson sounds like he’s having a ball behind his kit.

The MC5 were up for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year, and they will (and damn well should) get in one of these years. They still influence bands to this day, their live performances couldn’t be touched, and finding bands that match their fury today is difficult. They made a big bang in the 1970’s, and it still resonates.

Keep your mind open.

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