MC5 previously unreleased Live Gold
drumb | milwaukee, wi United States | 03/22/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Three tracks clocking in at a total of 40+ minutes, the "Ice Pick Slim" EP is the MC5 at the absolute height of their abilities. Capturing some of the "ferocious five's" most inspired live performances, the raw power contained within this single CD not only overcomes the confines of the studio, but also forcefully breaks down the very barriers of rock music itself. While most punk acts in the 60s had embraced the noble crusade of returning rock to its primordial, abrasive, fuzzed-out roots, the MC5, like the Velvet Underground, chose to use the wild energy of punk to aggressively innovate the stale state of popular music, not only shock. This unique goal of innovation has never been better represented than on the wildly original "Ice Pick Slim" mini-album. Surpassing rock, abandoning punk, and leaving the world of traditional music behind, this EP dives headfirst into a jarring collage of Sun Ra free jazz and Jimi Hendrix accelerated blues. Robin Tyner's horrifically anguished wails and the dueling guitars' rabid lust for mayhem are fueled by Michael Davis and Dennis Thompson's propulsive rhythms, raging ahead in an uncontrollable orgasm of adrenaline. Tyner's surprisingly melodic flute playing and John Sinclair's opposing tenor sax blats only add to the confusion, while the songs' stews of improvisation and rehearsed riffs swell to gigantic proportions which are no longer under the five's loose control. In every way, these two tracks are exactly how improvisational pieces and extended jams ought to be played. Referencing one idea after the next as each musician fights to prolong a groove for as long as it'll hold, The MC5 treats music as a living, breathing entity that can be shaped and changed at will. In fact, the title track and "Mad Like Eldridge Cleaver" push so far over the edge that they not only change the definition of rock, but actually redefine the entire approach to its creation. Simply a musical translation of the MC5's inborn abilities, "Ice Pick Slim" is less a musical end product than a true experience that the listener has been granted the privilege of sharing. The perfect compliment to the MC5's renowned live masterpiece "Kick Out the Jams," "Ice Pick Slim" completes the band's expansive vision, finally providing a full picture of the group's visionary 1968 sound."
MC 5 - 'Ice Pick Slim' (Alive)
Mike Reed | USA | 01/15/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Never knew this three track CD compilation was actually an {extended} CD single. Giving it a four-star rating because the sound quality is pretty darn good. Each cut is from a different show the MC 5 played sometime in 1968 at the Grande Ballroom in Detriot. "Motor City Is Burning" is your typical live MC 5 cut, as the eighteen-minute title track "Ice Pick Slim" is exclusive to this release (well, until last year or so when they put out a box set) serves as a lengthy 'odds and ends' piece (sort to speak) with vocalist Rob Tyner on flute and John Sinclair on sax - an awesome 'open jam' - likely improvised as I've never heard the Motor City Five perform anything quite like this. "Mad Like Eldridge Cleaver" is nineteen minutes of a blues jam but more song oriented. These tunes were mastered off the original 7" tapes. Recommended."
Long, heavy Jams
Carl Slim | the factory | 06/04/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is longer than the average EP. "I'm Mad Like Elderidge Cleaver" starts out with audience interaction, moves to an updated & psychedelisized take on "I'm Bad Like Jesse James" from John Lee Hooker, then degenerates into some of the ugliest heavy electric guitar noises and vocal grunts imaginable and hangs out in that musical netherworld for one hell of a long time, ending with a slight wind down, then a SCREAM! This is the real deal if you are into free-form/metal/punk/ unclassifiable beautifully horrible music (?), and if you're a fan of the 5, there at least a 50/50 chance this is your thing. "Ice Pick Slim" is more reserved (well, you could say that about most any other music), but still long and plenty of jamming. I've heard it's based on the Instrumental "Tunji" by John Coltrane, but the 5 really make it their own. Flute solo in the middle, great sound (as with the entire EP), and this one is wild but maybe not so angry as "Mad like Eldridge"."
Track Listings (3) - Disc #1
