Author:Richard Butterworth, Emma Stott
Back to the sixties with the latest two books in this series.
First up is MC5, who produced three uncompromising high octane albums between 1969 and 1971, with a very belated fourth effort appearing in 2024. This book is rather heavy on the hyperbole for my taste, but in fairness it does a good job of disecting the releases as well as examining the cultural ecosystem that spawned them. I suppose Kick Out The Jams is their enduring legacy, but realistically they are something of a historical footnote musically in the UK at least. This is an enjoyable well researched read, but realistically it’s aimed squarely at the hard core fan.
Forever Changes is one of those iconic sixties albums whose appeal has transcended the passing of time, still sounding fresh six decades later. It’s forerunner, Da Capo, is often somewhat in its shade but is also well worth reacquainting yourself with. Again, we have a detailed look at the albums from the various phases and incarnations of the band, as well as a peek behind the scenes of what was going on internally within the ranks. The band soldiered on after their initial heyday, although with diminishing returns commercially, but the book certainly doesn’t neglect those less successful records from the seventies and beyond. Overall, an interesting well put together book, but again really for committed fans.
Length of Read:Short
Might appeal to people who enjoyed…
The work of these bands, sixties music and the counter culture.
One thing you’ve learned
It’s always good to rediscover music you haven’t heard in a long while,
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