ALBUM: The Mekons Rock n’ Roll (1989)
MVC Rating: 4.5/$$$
I really listened to the Mekons a lot not long after we had moved to Florida. I remember taping this on cassette and listening to it on my daily 50-minutes one-way from Eustis to Orlando.
But over the last decade or more, the band have been out of my awareness.
This came out 1989 so I was standing at the door of the 90s decade carrying my last new vinyl album before going to compact disc. If it was not this album that was my last, it would have been either Warren Zevon’s last record (before he died) or it might have been a David Lindley record that was selling right at the changeover (1988’s ‘Very Greasy’ maybe?) and I remember wondering if I should get it in CD or not. I went with not.
(I think I had Soul Asylum on the other side of the cassette.)
As I’ve said, I love their catchy Memphis, Egypt with the shouted chorus ‘Rock N’ Roll’. It’s a song that most people think it is named ‘Rock N’ Roll. This is a great song, but the album is strong throughout and the lyrics are too, I think. I still need to check that. This is one of those that after 30 years I don’t remember what the album was about. But I remember buying from a little music store in Orlando. Name escapes me now. Despite the guitar solos and distortion there seems to be a tad bit too much production sheen. But maybe not, some like the cleaner brighter sound of meticulously produced music, but this is one of those where you don’t want to produce the energy out of such a raucous opening cut.
The music is straight-head hard rock with a fun alternative touch. Think of Cheap Trick meets the Clash. And some pretty decent lyrics: This isn’t no fake band — it’s smart.
When the female group member, Tammy Sims, is the lead singer as on Club Mekon , it reminds me a bit of Ellen Foley who sang “The Shuttered Palace” produced by her once boyfriend, Mick Jones <corrected 7/17. Not Strummer.>
I’m one and out on the Mekons and I see they have more than 10 recordings — so looks good for opportunity to explore.
One of my favorite lines is from Simms in ‘Club Mekon.’
And when I danced and saw you dance I saw a world where the dead are worshiped
This world belongs to them now and they can keep it!“I live alone and I walk the dark edge of the shoplights shadow,
Club Mekon
In each display a private hell, name your price you’re up for sale.