Customer Reviews

Heaven & Hell: Very Best of the Mekons

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First, the complaints: so many wonderful songs left off (WICKED MIDNITE, LEARNING TO LIVE ON YOUR OWN, THIS WAY THROUGH THE FIRE and so on)!! Criminally slight liner notes!! Surely we deserve more!! Of course with a band that has such a long history (I think only the Fall (another of my faves) comes close in longevity and output) it's a given that there will be omissions. Obviously a band like the Mekons deserve a 4 to 6 disc box set complete with a detailed band history and critical annotation that goes beyond a few quotes. However until that mythical set comes forth HEAVEN AND HELL is a fine compilation. Almost every album is represented (except the odd but compelling ME) and there's an amazing variety of musical styles that testify to the breadth of the Mekons musical talents. And the songs themselves are stunning. How could anyone resist GHOSTS OF AMERICAN ASTRONAUTS or THE OLD TRIP TO JERUSALEM? If you know nothing of the Mekons buy this NOW! And if you're a fan like me you'll want it just to have all these songs in one place.

I'm giving this disc five-stars on the over-all quality of MOST of the songs. Disc One in particular is a lovely intro to "the Meeks," the most shambling, creative punk-cum-alt country band of all time. Songs like "Dreams of American Astronauts" and "Work All Week" emphasis the hard-rocking, sweet-singing ways of Sally Timms and Jon Langford, respectively. The included video of "Dreams..." shows the dulcet-voiced Timms, a rock-and-roll babe extraordinaire, in her 1980s prime.

It's disc two that gives me a wee pause. There are terrific songs here-e.g. the haunting anthem "Prince of Darkness"-but they are mixed in with some things that may be off-putting for Meeks newbies or casual fans. "Never Been in a Riot" is the band's first "hit," a parody of the Clash. It's cool, but kind of a mess.

If this is your first Mekons go-round, maybe get this AFTER trying the great CDs "Edge of the World" and "OOOH: Out of Our Heads." They are slightly more palatable, and then you'll be ready for this terrific, if flawed, compilation. And try to see these guys live!

I love the Mekons and, I must admit, relish that few people are even aware of them. They have fused punk and country in a complex and delightful way. They are one of those groups whose works you can continue to enjoy over a lifetime as the songs never get stale; the melodies and rhythms are too catchy and sophisticated to ever get boring and the talents of Langford, Timms et al are always a treat for the ears, mind and soul. Try this to begin, then move on to Fear and Whiskey and the Mekons Rock and Roll. Careful, though, they can easily become a lifetime obsession!

I have heard good things over the years about this band, but if this is

their best - I am not impressed. Billing themselves as a punk band, they

seem to have little to say and dont do it very convincingly either. I

always try to give any record 3-4 listenings, but I couldnt get through

this wishy-washy mess a 3rd time. Maybe the albums individually are

better since they seem to change their style from time to time? There are

some decent songs here, but I could have done without 75% of it. Gimme

The Clash, or Replacements, or Blue Meanies, or even PULP over these guys any day.