AMG Review of Mekons Story

Skip Jansen
All Music Guide

This collection of rare and unobtainable tracks from the U.K. punk legends was unearthed from the vaults and includes brilliant outtakes, alternate versions, cover tunes, B-sides, and a handful of live radio sessions which cover the Mekons' earliest incarnation dating 1978 to 1982. During the first five years, the group's personnel changed so frequently that The Mekons Story lists 42 group members in the credits. Not coincidentally, their style changes with each new release and the Mekons' diversions are chronicled on this CD, from cacophonic punk, primitive disco, agitated funk and new wave, and synth pop, the only consistency being the sheer brilliance of John Langford's literacy in songwriting. The Mekons remain utterly revolutionary in the scope of post-punk and were for three decades effectively peerless in the genre of their own invention. An essential part of their vast discography, this collection gives an excellent overview of the formative years of an alternative rock phenomenon. Featuring liner notes from the late, great rock journalist Lester Bangs, who proclaims the Mekons to be, well, the greatest rock & roll band ever. A recommendation doesn't come much higher than that.