The underrated
Back in the USA album is one of MC5's finest. It's hard to understand how the band's popularity did not really increase after its release. All of the songs on this disc are catchy--a early 70s revisitation of the sound of
Chuck Berry. While many prefer "Kick out the Jams," this is easily a better album. The songs of teenage angst really stand out even though they are not as slick as what someone like
Alice Cooper put out. Tunes like "Teenage Lust," "
High School" and "
Call Me Animal" should have connected with a young audience had this album been promoted properly back in 1970. It also features two of the best, overlooked anti-war songs of all time: "
The Human Being Lawnmower" and "The American Ruse.
