A Townsperson Wants to Know

Following our recent appreciation for the Look of the MC5, a Townsperson wrote me offlist to ask this question:

“I’ve been hearing a lot about the MC5 for years, but beside ‘Kick Out the Jams,’ I can’t say I know a full song by them. What I hear sounds pretty cool and I know a lot of you guys love them, but where do I start? What’s their best album?”

As Moderator of Rock Town Hall, I don’t think I alone should assume the responsibility of steering this Townsperson toward a starting album. Beside, I don’t love the band the way some of you do. I ask you, Townspeople, to suggest the best MC5 album.

Our friend surely looks forward to your responses.

Congratulations to Townsman Sammymaudlin for correctly — even if a bit cheesily with that laundry list of mid-80s bands it could’ve been — ID’ing Scot-rockers Big Country. Somewhat reluctantly, I hand over the coveted RTH No-Prize. Congratulations, Sammy!

Greetings! Here’s a quick one for you: who’s the band charging out of the gates with a dreadful cover of this Stones classic (click “MYSTERY DATE,” below)? This is devilishly tough, so I’ll give you a few clues:

MYSTERY DATE

1. That’s not the normal lead singer guy on vocals. Obviously, the drummer, or lead guitar guy, or bassist, wanted some face time with the crowd, and this was the best they could muster.

2. It’s entirely possible some of you may have been at this show!

3.

HVB

Thanks to Townsman Al, the MC5 has been back in heavy rotation for me lately. They were groundbreaking in a lot of ways, but let’s putting aside all of their musical contributions for the moment and just discuss their Look. They are the coolest looking band of all time.

Here’s a short list why:

• Dueling guitarists who look like their both having a great time and saving the world.
• Perfect mix of cheesy showbiz razzle-dazzle and Big Rock Poses.
• Rob Tyner’s ‘fro. No disrespect to folks like Sib Hashien and Magic Dick but Tyner was there first.

Sure, there is no lack of cool looking bands, but are there any other serious contenders the Coolest Looking Band Of All Time (tm)? Please show your work.

E. Pluribus Gergely and I had a brief but productive discussion earlier today on the correct tone settings for your home stereo. Leaving out fancy EQ settings that no lover of rock ‘n roll really needs to be concerned with, “Plurbie,” as both friends and detractors (often one and the same) have been known to call him, suggested the following:

Balance: center
Treble: 7.5
Bass: near 10

He may be onto something. Before we definitively announce the correct tone settings for your home stereo, we feel it’s important to run this proposal by you. Please share your current settings, as follows:

Balance:
Treble:
Bass:

Remember, leave the fancy-pants, scientific EQ settings for your friends on Audiophile Town Hall.

We look forward to your answers.