THE ELECTRIC BIBLE | CHAPTER 067

THE ELECTRIC BIBLE | CHAPTER 067

BACK IN THE USA

MC5

(1969)

A1: TUTTI-FRUTTI (1:27); A2: TONIGHT (2:32); A3: TEENAGE LUST (2:34); A4: LET ME TRY (4:12); A5: LOOKING AT YOU (3:00).

B1: HIGH SCHOOL (2:39); B2: CALL ME ANIMAL (2:03); B3: THE AMERICAN RUSE (2:28); B4: SHAKIN’ STREET (2:18); B5: THE HUMAN BEING LAWNMOWER (2:22); B6: BACK IN THE USA (2:35).

CATEGORY: POP-ROCK | DURATION: 28 MINUTES

The second MC5 album Back In The USA was studio-recorded in 1969 and released in 1970 by Atlantic, who with producer Jon Landau insisted on a dramatic overhaul of the band’s original revolutionary sound and vision, stripping it down to a muscular street-punk style with soaring guitar solos and lyrics as much about teenage angst as politics. Despite the superfluous inclusion of two anachronistic cover versions and an unwelcome, momentum-breaking 4-minute ballad, the remaining eight originals – none more than 3 minutes in duration – form a defining blueprint for all future high-energy rock and roll.

 

THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF ROBERT YOUNG (1964-2014)

ÆTERNUM VORTICE LACRIMARUM SOMNIAT”