American crowds got to see them up close in headlining shows; Aussie crowds had to be content with an abridged set on the undercard to Alice Cooper in stadiums (the venue size being my reason for missing them). “10 More” was recorded in Seattle, WA, Cincinnati, OH and Hamburg, Germany, and the songs come from the first three albums.

You can make a case that “10 X MC5” was the “hits” and “10 More” opts for some deeper cuts. The production by Brother Wayne and Matt Dyson is top-shelf, capturing the updated band’s dynamics in crystal clear and punchy fashion. Props to executive producer Margaret Saadi-Kramer for making it happen.

People seem to forget the 2003-04 semi-reunion of MC5 survivors Kramer, Dennis Thompson and Michael Davis, augmented by a rotating cast of singers and second guitarists, but comparisons among the more enlightened are inevitable. Was it was good as this? I’d have to dig out the myriad of live recordings to verify, but MC50 seems to have the edge.

Reviews of things currently on high rotation are usually avoided in the I-94 Bar but I stumbled over one online rant that questioned the timing of this release as an exploitive after-thought. Bugger that for a joke. The only criticism is that “10 x MC5” and “10 More” deserved the status of being a standalone release.  

Main man Kramer’s energy is palpable and his playing often spectacular. Thayil is a wonderful foil who pushes but never tries to outdo the bandleader. As was the case in Fugazi, Canty is a bona fide powerhouse on the kit.    

Watching live footage on YouTube, Marcus Bryant is a doppelganger for Ray Barone in “Everybody Loves Raymond” without being annoying, and while he doesn’t have Rob Tyner’s range he does a helluva job capturing his spirit. Well and truly, MC50’s secret weapon.

High points like “Looking At You” and “Believe to My Soul” balance out the so-so-ness of “Baby Won’t Ya”, and the way “Starship” hangs in the air as the last note fades should have you reaching for the repeat button on the CD player…if you have an ounce of rocking ramalama in your bones.

five